On Wings of Steel

by Rubberduck

Rating: mature
Tags: Science Fiction, Suicide / Self Harm, Sex, Gore, Violence, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Sad, Main 6, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 51525

A wartime story in an alt. Universe following alternativ events. The Dice decide what happen

This story takes place in the alt. Universe where the Crystal empire under king sombra is advancing south to conquer the world. Swift Specter, a Pegasus and soldier of the Royal Guard, loses both Wings, but with the Help of magic and technology, he is able to fly and fight again. But he has nightmares, and he realizes soon enough that not all are just dreams.

OCs Made by JennieOo on Deviantart
https://www.deviantart.com/jennieoo

Published 2021-01-18 17:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-04-22 18:16:41 UTC

on Wings of Steel (prolog)

Author's Note

English is not my first language and I have to use google translate. I didn't find an editor either, so if someone notices something, please let me know so that I can improve it.

The reason why there is such a long time between the prologue and chapter 1 is that I have completely erased the story again and rewrite it, this time I read it more carefully before I put it online.

on Wings of Steel (prolog)

Prolog

Swift Specter was sitting in his bed, looking around the room. It wasn't a normal room, it was a hospital room. Everything was painted in calm light colors. Next to the bed was a side table with a glass of water, a flower arrangement that his parents had sent him and a purple heart. He sighed and lifted the covers off him. There were bandages all around his body. But the worst were those around his chest. He looked at his back as far as he could. His petrol-colored coat was broken by the clean bandages, but he couldn't see what he wanted to see.
His wings were gone. Swift Specter, the wingless Pegasus...
That was the worst thing he could imagine.
What should a pegasus without wings do?

Days later, Swift Specter was allowed to get up again. First of all a manecut, then streching his legs and wings ...
then stretch out his legs.
In the hallway he saw all the posters that were normal for a time like this:

"Join the fight against the Crystal Empire!"

Above it was the picture of a unicorn soldier on a hill facing hundreds of opponents, Horn glowing with magic

"The enemy is at the door, let's push him back!"

Here you could see an earth pony kicking away a soldier of the Crystal Empire with a powerful buck

"They fly for us, they fight for us, buy warbonds to help them!"

A squadron of pegasie flies in perfect V formation over the enemy, led by the war heroine named Rainbow Dash.
This mare was something special ...
But this poster also reminded him of his last mission.

The past
Swift Specter flew an escort mission with six other pegasi from his squadron. They were supposed to bring two pegasi with medical training to a surrounded unit of unicorn soldiers. three other pegasi carried various supplies, from medical supplies to food and water.
Actually it wasn't a difficult job, apart from the terrain that they had to cross and the enemies there.
"Thunderbearers, get ready to take off!" the squad leader had ordered and everyone had started.
for the safety of the 5 non-combatants, they flew in the middle, while the Thunderbearers flew three to each of the flanks, with the Leader in front.

Everything went relatively well by the time they crossed the front line.
Ever since the Crystal Empire began to take settlements in Equestria, more and more unicorns and pegasi have appeared in the enemy ranks alongside the original crystal ponies. And now these subjugated and enslaved unicorns fired at them with deadly spells.
The squadron leader gave the hoovesigns that they should go deeper. There was a canyon in front of them, which the squadron leader wanted to use as cover, although there were contradictions from the ranks of the squadron.
Further down, they would only be easier prey.
Granted, they could use the momentum to make them faster, but higher up there were better evasive options.
Nevertheless, they followed the orders of their leader.

If only they hadn't used this canyon!
The enemy fire came from both sides, the walls made it difficult for them to maneuver, and soon two of the porters and three of its squadron members were hit.
He had seen for himself how one of them hit the ground at high speed and was dead before he could scream. Swift Specter flew closer to one of the paramedics, a yellow mare with a pink mane.
"Don't worry ma'am, I'll protect you as best I can!" he had called to her before he had to duck under an enemy spell.
The mare hadn't answered him. she looked very shocked.
There, another member of the Thunderbearer squadron was hit, but he was still flying, screaming his pain.
"We can't keep up the pace!" shouted one of the surviving porters with the medical supplies, "We have to find cover!"
"no! We press on!" shouted the squadron leader, and looked angrily back before an enemy spell hit him in the neck and killed him instantly.
Swift Specter watched in shock as there was only other fighter left and he spotted one of the enemy unicorn soldiers. He cast a spell towards the medic.
As if in slow motion, Swift Specter could see this destructive and deadly spell moving towards the mare.
He couldn't let that happen.
he wouldn't let that happen!
With a strong flap of his wings he brought himself between the mare and the spell, turned his back on the spell.
After that he only felt pain. His back burned, whether literally or figuratively made no difference to him.
The slow motion continued when he saw a petrol-colored wing fall through his field of vision, followed by deep red drops.
probably blood.
And that was his wing. there was only one petrol-colored Pegasus in his squadron.
Then the impact came, he skidded over the rough stone floor and hit a rock, lost consciousness and greeted the blackness.

He woke up once in the unicorn soldiers' camp, the yellow Pegasus over him, talking to him, but he dosen't hear anything, and then again in a field hospital.
There he was told that he had lost both wings.

present
"Hello Swift Specter, are you going for a walk?" a nurse asked at her desk and smiled at him
"Yes." Swift Specter said with his head hanging, "can't just lie around all day."
"Of course. If you need something, please let me know," said the nurse and hot back to her files.

Outside then Swift Specter sat on a bench and looked up at the sky. It was an almost cloudless day, so he could see the weather team using individual clouds to decorate the Canterlot sky.
And he was trapped down here, never again able to fly up there, never again to take a nap on a cloud.
"Excuse me?"
What would he do now?
"Excuse me, please"
How should he get to his home in Cloudsdale in the future?
"Corporal Swift Specter? Do you have time?"
the voice finally got through to him
"I'm not a Corporal anymore." Swift Specter said, "I have been discharged from the military because of my injuries."
He looked at the lavender-colored unicorn mare.
Saddlebags full to the brim with books and scrolls, judging by the clothes, a student at Celestia's University, looking a little nervous.
"I know, but I'm here because of your injuries!" said the lavender unicorn, "I would like to talk to you about an experiment that I am about to carry out. It is about using special crystal matrices and the latest technology as well as some experimental prototypes ..."
Swift Specter lifted his hoof and said, "Wait a minute. Where I'm from, you introduce yourself before you start babbling wildly."
"Oh sorry. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I'm a student at Celestia's Academy." Twilight Sparkle imagined, "back to my suggestion ..."
"Yeah for that matter," Swift Specter interrupted again, "can we make this shorter?"
"Would you like to fly again?" Twilight asked with a confident smile.
Swift specter had to pull himself together that his facial features didn't derail. He took a few deep breaths before answering: "How exactly is that supposed to work? You don't seem to have an airship in mind."
Twilight Sparkles grin broadened: "No. I'm thinking of a combination of magic, rare gems and technology."

A little later, Swift Specter found himself in a wing of Celestia's Academy for Gifted Unicorns. It was like a laboratory got attacked by a workshop, and now tools, parts, books and the like were lying around everywhere.
and in the midst of this chaos Swift Specter could see the rump of an earth pony mare. Her coat was orange, her mane was red, but the tips of her hair were clearly dyed blue. She wore a overall, had welding goggles on her forehead and headphones over her ears.
"This is Electric Swing. She's the most skilled mechanic around ... unfortunately she's also the messiest." said Twilight and began to tidy up with a levitation charm. On the occasion, she also took the headphones from Electric Swings ears.
"Huh?" she asked and looked around: "Oh Twilight! is that our test object?" she got up and was walking through the chaos as if it weren't there, then held an oily hoof in Swift Specter's direction in greeting, saying: "Electric Swing is my name, a pleasure to meet you!"
Swift Specter just took her hoof, ignoring the oil: "Swift Specter. The pleasure is mine. How is this supposed to work?"
"Didn't twilight tell you?" Electric Swing asked with a giggle, then went to a whitebord and began to draw a Pegasus before continuing, "Well, as everyone knows, pegasus feathers are magical. They generate and store the energy a Pegasus needs to walk on clouds or fly to can, "she wiped the wings away. "A pegasus without wings loses this ability." Now she drew next to the wingless Pegasus wing something that ... looked strange, "Twilight has managed to store magical energy in rare gemstones. If we put these gemstones in special containers, we can not only collect the energy, but also give it off again . That is the main part of what we are up to. "
She picked up a small zylinder and showed it to Swift Specter.
"What's this?" he asked and looked at the small cylinder
"That, corporal Specter, is an MCU. A Magic Containment Unit." explained Twilight Sparkle, "This will help you fly again."
"how?" asked Swift Specter with an raised Eyebrow.
"Well," began Twilight Sparkle, "your body is still creating magic, albeit less than before. These gemstones are able to collect and bundle them. We build the MCUs into prostheses to replace the wings."
"Artificial Wings?" Swift Specter asked skeptically.
"I'll build them." Electric Swing answered, "don't worry, they'll be as good as real ones, maybe even better!"
Swift Specter sighed and hung his head.
It was an opportunity, but was he really going to do that to himself?

on Wings of Steel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

2 months later...
Swift Specter lifted the metal structures on his back only with the thought of opening them. They looked like wings, and if he wanted they acted like them too, but they were much heavier. His back was still aching from the surgery and the weight on his legs didn't feel any better, even though he exercised a lot to strengthen them. He felt almost as stiff as an earth pony now.
"Very good." said a doctor and watched a screen, "Everything looks very good. How are you feeling?"
"My back hurts ... also I haven't had anything in my stomach for almost 8 hours." replied Swift Specter, looking over his shoulder, "But the place where the connections are feels better. No burning pain like last time."
"Excellent." Twilight Sparkle was delighted, who was also in the room and looked at everything, "Then it shouldn't be a long time before we can use the MCUs and start test runs. I think at the end of this month it would be possible that you can fly again! "
Electric Swing looked at the mechanics up close and nodded: "Mechanically everything seems to be fine. So I give the OK for further tests."

After hours of testing, Swift Specter was finally released. Just as he had put on his complete uniform again, -as he was back in active service in a test brigade- Electric Swing came galloping up and shouted: "Swift wait!" she slid in front of him and said with a broad grin: "I'm going to invite you to dinner. And I don't want to hear no, Corporal."
Swift Specter raised an eyebrow, but then shrugged and replied, "All right. But I'm starving." He checked his uniform again briefly, then nodded and set off with Electric Swing towards downtown Canterlot.

The place where Swift Specter and Electric Swing went was nothing special, apart from the cider. This one was hard, but that didn't stop Swift Specter from drinking a little more.
"You shouldn't drink too much." Electric said, "If you're drunk, the test results will be wrong and it could cause unnecessary pain."
"As unnecessary as losing both wings?" Swift Specter asked and lifted his mug of hard cider to his lips, "You also invited me. I have to use that."
That elicited a slight smile from Electric Swing and she said: "Oh yes? Well, I'll give you this. But please, don't drink so much anymore. Do it for my sake, yes? If something happens to you while testing, it's my fault because I do gave my OK. "
Swift sighed, looked into his mug and said softly, "Well, that's the last one for today ... I promise."
"Thanks." Electric Swing replied with a smile, when Swift Specter was patted on the shoulder. A Pegasus and an earth pony stood behind him, were clearly drunk and laughed at him: "Take a look at that. An earth pony that has wings screwed on! That's too funny!"
Swift Specter glanced at the two of them, then decided to ignore them and turned to his last mug of cider. Just as he was about to drink, the earth pony knocked the mug out of his hoof and said: "We're talking to you, freak!"
Swift Specter looked at his mug, and was slightly angry, and turned to the two of them, speaking with anger in his voice: "What exactly is your problem, hmm? Don't you see that I'm a homecomer?" he snorted, "I lost my wings in this war!"
"Then you don't deserve them either!" said the drunken pegasus, and struck at him. His hoof landed in Swift's Specter face, who snapped his wings to block another blow against his torso. He only felt the vibration at the base of the wings, nothing else. With a twist of the heavy wings he sent the two attackers onto the boards, jumped up and squeezed the air off each of them with one wing edge when he hissed angrily: "I have lost EVERYTHING because I did my part in this war! I am ready to put even more at risk! If these wings work, I will return to the front. " he got louder, "and you call me worthless? you say i don't deserve my wings?"
Electric Swing tackled him from the side, and from the two of them: "Stop it! Stop it Swift! The two of them are not worth the trouble!" tried she appease him
"The two are not worth it? Threy insulted me with the worst that can be thrown at a Pegasus!" He snorted again and bowed his head to attack the two in a charge. both of em quickly ran away.
"I understand that ..." began Electric Swing, but she was immediately interrupted by Swift Specter: "Eight do you do that? Do you have four mechanical hooves? That makes you earth ponies, right? Your hooves, with which you do magic given to the ground to allow plants to grow better. I'm so sorry that this happened to you! " His wings came back to his flank, "I'm done here!" He threw a bag of bits on the table: "That should cover the bill and the damage."

Outside, Swift Specter was furiously walking down the street. It was now dark and with the uniform and the two mechanical wings he looked so scary that nopony spoke to him and everpony walked away from him.
That is until he heard the galloping of hooves behind him.
"Swift wait!" called Electric Swing and got to him: "What was that about? and yes, I mean everything. You're lucky if nopony reports you! If the MP gets wind of it ..."
"Let them know." snorted Swift Specter, "obviously I'm not enough for the ponies I risked my life for ..."
Now it was Electric Swing's turn to snort, and she tackled him in a side street where she pressed him firmly to the wall: "Listen to me! I'm sorry that my work can't give you your real wings again! But if tomorrow everything goes well, then you will at least be able to fly again! do you have any idea how much I envy you? I am always an earth pony who looks up into the sky and wonders what it feels like to fly freely through the air ... "She started to tremble," but I will probably never see or feel that. So please be so good and give these wings and yourself one last chance! "
Swift specter looked at her in surprise, then put his front hooves around her and hugged her gently, wrapping the wings around her too. It was supposed to be a warm gesture, but it wasn't like that with the metal. He felt how Electric Swing shuddered, and said softly: "All right. I'll comply with your wish and give both the wings and myself a chance ..."

The following day

"Pre-flight checks." said Electric Swing, walking around Swift Specter while holding a checklist in a hoof, "Flaps?"
Swift specter moved the flaps on the wings that gave extralift in unsupported flight.
"Very good. Please move the wings in all directions." Electric said and watched the wings of Swift Specter move. "Any strange noises? Are you pointing something or does something feel strange?"
"Negative." Swift Specter said, "So far everything is okay."
"Looks good from here too." Twilight Sparkle logged on and looked at everything, "Are the MCUs installed?"
"Aye." Electric Swing said, "They should be charged and ready by now."
"Well then we can start the test." Twilight said, "At first you will be wearing a safety harness."
Twilight Sparkle's magic attached a safety harness to Swift Specter. A rope went up to an overhead crane, one connected to the ground.
"I guess that's supposed to keep me from crashing through the ceiling." Swift Specter noticed and looked at the rope.
"Correct. We don't want you to damage this hangar." Twilight Sparkle said with a proud smile
"Ah... thanks for your concern for my safety..." Swift Specter said with a blank face.
Electric Swing giggled and finished her round around Swift Specter, whispering softly asked, "How's your head? Still a headache?"
Swift Specter said no with a shake of his head.
"All right. Let's start the test." announced Twilight Sparkle, and Swift specter began to flap his wings carefully. a slight mechanical whirring could be heard as the propulsion system started and provided the wing beats with the necessary magic to enable the flight.
And indeed, Swift Specter took off, first very carefully, then more and more courageously, until he was floating right in the middle of the room. The mechanical whirring was strange but otherwise it almost felt like real wings. Almost..
"That ... that's incredible!" Swift Specter said with a smile, "To be honest, I wouldn't have thought it possible!"

Twilight Sparkle was busy making notes in her notebook, not noticing a group of royal guards approaching. Swift Specter didn't notice either, but Electric Swing felt a wrench out of her hoof. There, in this hangar, at this moment, Princess Celestia stood and examined the three ponies. Only when the Royal Guards hit their spears on the ground did the other two ponies look at Celestia.
Twilight gasped and galloped over to Celestia and bowed low, as did Electric Swing.
Swift Specter needed some time to land again before he assumed a militarily correct stance and saluted.

Celestia looked closely at the three ponies in front of her, then smiled a little and said in a very pleasant tone: "I see you are making great progress, my student. To see such a badly wounded Pegasus flying again is a very uplifting feeling! "
"We're only doing what needs to be done, Your Highness." Twilight Sparkle said with pride in her voice, but still bowing to Celestia.
"You do more than just that. You give all of our Pegasus soldiers the opportunity to live a normal civil life even after such serious injuries." said Celestia with a small smile, as Swift Specter spoke with surprise in his voice: "Civil life? Your Highness, I thought if everything is all right again I can go back to the front line!" he looked up and Celestia could see his confusion.
"I cannot allow that, my little pony." Celestia said with care in her voice, "You have already sacrificed so much for ..."
"But I want! I have to! What is the value of that if I don't finish my job? I can't lie on the lazy skin and push the clouds while I know that a war is raging! What if .."
Celestia raised her hoof to silence him. She thought for a moment, and then said: "If that is really your wish, then so be it. With this you, Corporal Swift Sepcter, are promoted to sergeant. You will have your own squadron when the time is right. This skilled mechanic and My student will accompany you and take over further tests as well as the maintenance, if the two don't mind. "
She looked at the two of them.
"I'm going with sergeant Swift Specter." said Electric Swing.
Twilight hesitated a little, then asked, "What about my studies?"
"You can of course continue to do this. And as long as you are in companie with the sergeant, you have more resources at your disposal. I also grant you the special right of an assistant."

"I ... get an assistant?" Twilight asked wide-eyed. It was a very great honor in such times. one for which you had to put down a lot of bits.
"I'll do my best and triple my efforts!"

"Very good." said Celestia with a smile, then looked at sergeant Swift Specter, "sergeant, you will have an airship available to you at the end of the week to bring you to the frontline. The tests must be done by then. The airship will be set up for further tests if necessary, but I want that to be kept as minimal as possible. "
"by your command, Your Highness!" Swift Specter said, turning back to the other two and saying, "Well, you heard our princess. Carry on with the tests."

After Celestia was gone, Swift Specter leaned over to Electric Swing and asked, "Do you think we could paint our princess's banner on the inside of the wings?"
Electric Swing grinned, cocked her head and pretended to think: "oh I don't know ... can we?"
Swift Specter deadpanned when he said: "The same thing my teacher used to say ..."

More days later ...

Swift Specter flew over the practice range trying to get a feel for the new wings. Unlike real wings, he didn't feel the wind, couldn't make any slight changes and had to fly with more force. He was faster than before, but also less maneuverable.
When he landed, he made a face, wrinkled his nose, and sniffed. From the left wing came a smell like plastic getting hot.
"I think there's something wrong with the left wing ... and I'll need a new name. Swift doesn't really fit anymore." he said to Twilight Sparkle and Electric Swing.
"Well, there is nothing we can do about that." Twilight Sparkle said with a cheeky grin, while Electric Swing looked at the left wing. she opened a door and looked inside, rubbing her chin with her hoof as she looked at the problem.
Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle was making several notes on her notebook, saying, "Well, that wasn't bad. All that's missing is a combat test and a long-range test."
"We can easily do the latter on the way to the front." Suggested Electric Swing, "Swift just flies over the airship and if something happens, he can just land."
"Sounds like a good idea," confirmed Swift Specter, "then we can make the most of the time on board the airship. And the combat tests?"
The two mares looked at each other before Twilight Sparkle replied, "We haven't thought about that yet. Melee training maybe?"

The hoof-to-hoof combat training was very instructive. Even if the wings were very heavy, Swift was able to block blows with them. He fought a pegasus first, which showed him that he wasn't that fast anymore, but harder to hit if he moved the wings properly. Then came an earth pony close combat specialist. The pink mare with the pink mane bothered him badly, but in the end everything was okay with exeption of a few dents in the wings. However, he was still very susceptible to unicorn magic.
"Oh that was fun!" Swift said with a big smile and sweaty, "But now I need a shower first!"

After a shower, Swift Specter first went to rest in his quarters. He had received new orders, which he held in front of him while he was on the bed.

Marching orders:
Make your way to Hope Hollow, on the Manesota border. The lakes there are natural barriers, but reinforcement is needed at the narrowest point to keep the Crystal Empire from advancing. On site, you take over the squadron leadership over one of the squadrons there.

Further orders:
-Perform remaining tests
-Protect the airship
-The civilians on board must be protected under all circumstances, even if that means the loss of the airship

These orders were approved by Princess Celestia.
May the sun and moon be favorable on your journey

Drawn by
Captain Shining Armor

So ... those were his orders. Swift Specter couldn't wait.
only interesting was that Electric Swing and Twilight Sparkle were apparently more important than an airship. That could only be fine with him.

In this night

Swift Specter was back on the battlefield, his squadron dead, he was alone, and it was unnaturally quiet. His wings were gone, and the artificial ones weren't there either.
"Is there anypony?" he called into the silence, but it didn't seem like his voice was carried very far.
Swift was walking around, the ground felt unnatural.
Suddenly a yellow Pegasus mare with a pink mane rose.
Swift recognized her. he had protected her the day he lost his wings.
"Find us ... you have to find us ... all six of us ... harmony needs all six of us ... you have to find us all ... the sun needs help ... the moon must not fall .. . The nightmare cannot continue to exist ... Swift Specter, you have a purpose ... find harmony ..." she said in a ghostly voice. Her eyes were white and glassy.
"What ... what do you mean?" Swift Specter asked, but then the mare jumped at him and screeched like a banshee.

Swift Specter jumped up in sweat, gasped, and looked around in panic. What kind of a nightmare was that? He would have to talk to somepony about it.
Tired steps, he went into the bathroom and turned on the water to throw it in his face. He was still so tired...

on Wings of Steel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Like tears in the rain," Twilight Sparkle suddenly began alongside Electric Swing.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Eklectric Swing, looking at the airship. It was the big day, today they would leave and fly with Swift Specter towards the Northern Front. Unlike Swift, however, they would stay far enough from the front lines to be safe.
"Oh nothing." Twilight Sparkle replied, "Just something I read once."
"what was it about?" Electric asked curiously and watched as Swift Specter came trotting up with his duffel bag. he wasn't too late, but he seemed to have a new fire in him since the promotion and the prospect of being able to return to the front.
Twilight Sparkle looked at Swift Specter, too, and then said, "Well, some things, although somewhat obvious, can be forgotten over time or go unnoticed because they can't be seen in the bigger picture." Swift Specter had passed both of them and trotted on to a sailor of the airship. He saluted and had a short chat with him before he went on and took a gangway onto the airship.
"We should keep an eye on him." Twilight Sparkle continued, "I feel like I'm missing something when I look at him. Something that's obvious."

A little later the airship flew off and Electric Swing was sitting on a railing, saw Canterlot slowly getting smaller. A Pegasus Squadron escorted them a little outside the city, then saluted the ship, turned away and flew home. On the way, the airship would have two other ships meeting them who had the same destination.
"Well, how do you like flying?" Swift Specter asked from behind Electric Swing, "Is this your first time on an airship?"
Electric Swing beamed to both cheeks when she replied: "Yes It is and it's wonderful up here. So peaceful!"
Swift Specter smiled, then lifted a hoof over the railing, caught some cloud, and began to shape it in his hooves.
Electric Swing watched in fascination and a short time later Swift Specter had recreated the airship and held it up, let it go.
The cloud ship flew with them a little, driven by the momentum, but the air resistance slowed it down until it bounced on Electric Swing nose and disappeared in a poff.
That made her a little sad.
"Nothing is peaceful up here." said Swift Specter and pointed to the sky: "There are wind currents everywhere, every molecule in the clouds rubs against another, charges electricity and creates lightning. The winds can become turbulent and even dangerous to us pegasus. But yes, up here there are it's something that has become rare. " He opened his wings and let them shimmer slightly in the sun, whereupon reflections of the sunlight were thrown onto the ship wall and wild patterns began to dance.
"Nowhere is Celestia's sun closer than here. Apart from Mount Everhoof, of course." Swift Specter finished his statement.

Twilight Sparkle watched this and cleared her throat before she said, "Well then, let's get the long range test over with. I want you to fly two to three meters above the deck, at the same speed as the ship. We'll see how long you can hold out. "
Swift Specter gave her a mock salute, then spread his wings and let the air flow lift him. When he got slower than the airship it flapped his wings to get faster again. So he flew just above the airship, watched by Twilight Sparkle, Electric Swing and everyone who just came by and didn't want to miss the show.

hours later

Something was wrong. The crew of the airship was getting more and more restless, the observation posts searched the sky, but apart from a few dark clouds nothing was to be seen.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Swift Specter asked and flew a little lower to one of the sailors at a watch post.
"We should meet with the other two ships half an hour ago. But we have neither received a message nor a sign from them. Captain is worried." replied the sailor
Swift Specter nodded, "well I'll keep an eye out too."
He let himself fall back a little and said at Electric Swings and Twilight Sparkles height: "I'll just take a quick lap around the airship and look at for the other two ships." he said and turned a little away from the airship before he began to look around. He reached into his saddlebag and took out a telescope with which he looked around. Just as he was about to put it away he saw one of the ships and it was approaching quickly.
With a signal pistol, also in his saddlebag, he fired a yellow smoke grenade in the direction of the ship he had seen.
In this case, yellow smoke meant unconfirmed contact.
A purple smoke grenade rose from the ship. A sign that Swift Specter had been ordered to investigate.

"What is Swift doing there?" Electric Swing asked, turning his head as Swift Specter tipped sideways and flew towards the other ship.
"He was ordered to control the ship." said one sailor, "Standard procedure if you are not sure. Since the ship is half an hour too late and does not answer, the captain probably wanted to play it safe."
"But Srgeant Specter is only here to test the prototype wings. Then why can he order him?" Twilight Sparkle asked, somewhat confused
"It's about the safety of the ship," replied the Sailor, "it has happened that ship crews have turned out to be hostile. Rough ships are a great threat if you don't have enough warning time. But most of the timeone pegasus flies there, from the other side comes a pegasus too, they meet each other in the middle and everything is cleared up. You will see, nothing happens and ... "
at that moment the alarm bells began to ring

Swift Specter only had a few seconds to dodge when a rather strong spell flew in his direction, followed by several enemy Pegasus. Without thinking too long, he raised the pistol and fired the loaded red smoke grenade into the air. The sign of enemy troops.
A spear hit his wing and bounced harmlessly, another flew just past his head.
He could have got himself out of the way of the enemy with a quick maneuver, but quick maneuvers weren't possible, but he had weight and speed on his side. He accelerated and prepared to strike, was able to land a devastating blow on the throat of one of the enemy pegasus. His sabaton protected him and broke the enemy's neck. It also tore him around, and he was able to fly again at high speed in the direction of his airship. He wouldn't last long alone.
a spear thrown at him gave him a wound in his left flank and Swift Specter screamed in pain, briefly lost focus and lost altitude and propulsion. Just long enough for the enemy to catch up with him. One hit him in the head, another kicked him in the back. The combination sent Swift specter staggering towards the ground, but he was able to catch himself and accelerate again. Then a small, more glassy sphere came into view. It had a fuse, something that looked like black powder on the top and in the bottom ... a captured lightning bolt. Swift Specter looked at the sphere in shock as it shattered, releasing the captured lightning. He turned too slowly, the lightning hit his wing and conducted the current through his body. Swift Specter gave a short scream before falling like a rock, followed by a plume of black smoke

Swift Specter awoke to a black void. It felt like his hooves and cheek were on marble. In front of him was some kind of picture frame or something like that. On closer inspection he could see himself, wings wrapped around his body, his back towards the ground, black smoke rose from some connections, his mouth open, his eyes closed. The smoke moved and billowed very, very slowly, but did not stand still. With a groan he got up and looked around, asked in a hoarse voice: "Where am I? Is anyone there? Hello?" Then he noticed that his wings were missing. Not only his real ones, no the artificial ones as well!
"What's going on here?"
No answer, no one to see.
"Hello? Is there anypony?"
again no answer. When he turned around again, a pony in black robes stood in front of him, a hood pulled low over his face.
Swift Specter screamed and felt on his rump.

"Sweet Celestia! You scared me almost to death!" he said and slowly calmed down.
"Oh just almost?" asked the pony and took off his hood. It was just the skeleton of a pony and it laughed: "I should take my job more seriously!"
Swift Specter went white as a sheet.
"What the matter? Who did you expect to meet when you were dying?" asked Death with a chuckle.
"Wait ... I'm ... dead?" Swift Specter asked.
"Oh no, not yet. But there is Somepony who wants to speak to you." Death waved his hoof at Swift Specter to follow.
He didn't know what else to do and followed Death.

"Who exactly wants to meet me?" Swift Specter asked after a little while.
"my boss." Death only said with a cheerful tone.
"Death has a boss?" Swift Specter asked in surprise.
"Of course. I can't go around killing ponies indiscriminately. Everything has its time, place and purpose." Death explained, as they came to a door that Swift Specter could swear had not been there moments befor. Death opened the door and told Swift Specter to go inside.

To Swift Specter's surprise, the inside was a cozy cabin, with a fireplace, a mirror, bookshelves, and a large sofa ... and on that sofa ... lay an alicorn. She was reading a book and seemed to be enjoying the fire in the fireplace.
"Ah Swift ... nice that you're finally here." said the mare and got up from her place. She was almost as bright white as Celestia, but had blue hair that moved as if moved by an invisible force.
Swift Specter looked at her in disbelief, literally feeling the power emanating from this Alicorn.
He couldn't do anything else, he bowed, said: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to have to admit that, but I don't know who you are."
The Alicorn laughed and put her hoof on his chin to bring his head back up. she was a little taller than Princess Celestia ...
"And yet you bow to me and call me your majesty." she said and giggled, "My name is Destiny. You know my younger sister Celestia."
Swift Specter looked at her and asked, "Then there are more in your family?"
Another giggle from Destiny as she replied, "I'm the middle of five sisters. The oldest is Samay, she is the princess of time. Then there is the next, Gaia, princess of nature. I am Destiny, princess of... Well... Destiny. Then comes my younger sister, Princess Celestia, Princess of the Sun. And our youngest sister, Princess Luna, Princess of the night and dreams. "
Swift specter was glued to her lips.
"We are all the daughters of Queen Lauren Faust, Queen of Creation and eternity. It was her who created everything, and us too, so we can take some of her burden off of her. Granted, Celestia got the easiest part."
"And also the sole affection of the ponies" threw Death in who brought a glass of water to Destiny.
She accepted it thankfully and took a sip before continuing: "Yes, the other sisters and i didn't like that very much. And that is also the reason why our youngest sister is stuck on the moon."

Swift Specter thought, "Wait a minute ... does that mean there should actually be two princesses in Equestria? And one is on the moon? Why that? What happened?"
"You're a little curious, Swift Specter." Destiny said with a look that also expressed curiosity and joy
Swift Specter shrugged his shoulders, said, "I'm ... apparently dead anyway, so ..."
"You are not dead yet." Destiny said and held up a hoof to cut him off, "I had you brought here because I want to ask you a favor."
"Me? Aren't you a goddess?" Swift Specter asked wide-eyed, "What could I, a crippled, mortal Pegasus, do?"
Destiny's smile broadened: "I cannot intervene in the fate of the world. Not in a way that it gets noticed. My job is to gently point ponies in the right direction, not to put them on a path and say do it." Her hoof rested on Swift's shoulder: "I'm making an exception with you. I want to give you a task right away, it is extremely important to save my youngest sister."
Swift's eyes widened: "I'm supposed to save your youngest sister? What about her?"
Destiny sighed deeply, "She is under a curse. It's called a nightmare, and it's taken possession of her. I want you to find the elements of harmony, the counterspell to this curse. These elements consist of six divided into six mares. "

"That sounds impossible! Why me? Isn't there somepony better?" Swift Specter asked a little uncertainly.
"It may sound like that, but it worked in another world. In the worlds where the elements came together, they freed Luna from the curse and brought her back to us." She smiled narrowly, "Why you? If you really want it to be dramatic, just say that Destiny chose you. You are the chosen one and no, I haven't seen anyone with such a high chance of success as you... Yet... And You had a vision. One that was not sent by me, one that you chose yourself. Something like this has rarely happened in all the time that I have existed."
Swift specter looked to the ground and said: "Find us ... you have to find us ... all six of us ... harmony needs all six of us ... you have to find us all ... the sun needs help ... the moon must not fall ... The nightmare cannot continue to exist ... "
"Exactly!" Destiny exclaimed happily, "This vision has chosen you!"
"And how do I do that?" Swift asked still unsure, "and why is it so important? You just said that there are other worlds. So why treat them differently?"
Destiny smiled narrowly when she replied: "That's because I don't exist just once. For every world, every reality, even for every creatur a 'different' Destiny is responsible. We are all one and the same, but separate. It is difficult to explain . " She pointed to a globe of Equus, "I want my world to be as peaceful as the others. But a time traveler from another time and world unintentionally created this here. Both of us will fix the damage."
"and how should I do that?" Swift Specter asked.
"Well I'll steer you in the right direction. But be told, you've already met two of the elements. One of the mares you're looking for is actually quite close." She smiled and then made a dismissing gesture, "You should go. Your airship is under attack and you have about 500 meters to the ground."
Swift's hooves didn't move, but the house seemed to be pulling away from him, he was pushed through the door without moving, and he was back to the mirror. Death was still with him.
"But ..." Swift began, then looked at Death, "How?"
Death just shrugged his shoulders, pointed to the mirror and said, "When you are ready touch it and you will return to your body. You may only remember this vaguely, and you will feel a little dizzy . "
Swift looked at him, then simply nodded and took a deep breath before lifting his hoof. He stopped just before the mirror.
"Is Electric Swing Safe? And Twilight Sparkle?" he asked Death.
"Nopony is safe from me. I'll come and get them someday. Someday ... not today ..." he turned around and walked away.
Swift watched him go and said, "Thank you."
then touched the mirror.
As he was vanishing, Death looked over his shoulder and mumbeld: "not for that..."

When Swift came to, he actually felt dazed and it took him a moment to realign himself. It helped that the view was relatively clear. So he could make out the horizon, turn around, straighten the wings ... and there came the first problem. The left wing no longer responded as well as the other. In addition, Swift could feel that he was hanging a little lower. With a careful look he could see that the lightning had burned a hole through the metal.
Also, plumes of black smoke came from the wing and followed him. Something seemed to be on fire.
Looking down he could make out a few injuries. nothing wild, primarily the wing had suffered damage.
When he looked straight out again he could see light signals on the horizon. He just couldn't concentrate enough to decipher them.
He groped for the flaregun with his hoof. it was still there.
The red smoke grenade was stillthere too. He reloaded, aimed up at a sight that made him shudder.
The supply ship on which he flew was meanwhile in close combat with the other ship. Pegasie from both sides fought in the air.

Swift Specter aimed and fired the red smoke grenade, then slipped the flare back into his saddlebag and hung his head. He felt tired and powerless. The ground was getting closer and closer, and the grass looked so soft ...
His eyes shut for a second, but in that second he could hear Electric Swing's desperate scream: "SWIFT!"
He snapped up again, awake this time. He couldn't possibly have heard her. But he felt that she needed him.
With a loud scream of being unbroken, he jerked his head upwards, his body followed and he rose as fast as his wings would allow

Electric Swing had seen Swift Specter get struck by lightning. she had seen how he fell out of control towards the ground. She had seen his lifeless body plunged into a cloud and after that she had not seen him again.
The unicorn guards on board the airship had taken up position and threw spears with the help of telekinesis, others fired directly at the attackers with magic. All the pegasie on board had risen into the air and stopped the attackers as best they could. The earth ponies tended to the ship with grim determination and kept it in the air, a few used side-mounted crossbows when they couldn't do anything and helped defend it.
Twilight sparkle ran to Electric Swing and pulled her away from the edge of the airship, her horn glowing with magic and she managed to put up a shield just in time. Spears that would otherwise have hit Electric Swing now ricocheted off it.

"Come on, we have to take cover!" Said Twilight Sparkle
"They got Swift! They hit him with lightning!" Electric Swift sobbed, "I didn't see if he came to!"
"We'll have to take care of that later." Twilight Sparkle said calmly, "I bet he's fine and could land." She pulled the stunted earth pony with her into the superstructure of the ship, and helped as best she could with her shield. She silently thanked her brother for teaching her that.

Then the enemy airship came closer. Roped harpoons flew over and grabbed the airship, pulling it closer and closer.
"Red smoke! Below us at the stern!" called a sailor.
Twilight Sparkle took a look when a small explosion of petrol-colored coat and metal broke out of a cloud.
"It's Swift! He Lives and Flies!" shouted Twilight Sparkle and Electric Swing rushed forward. she could see Swift Specter, and that he was dragging a cloud of black smoke behind him. Nevertheless, he broke through from below, cut some of the ropes that held the two ships together with his wings and grabbed one of the unicorns who wanted to shoot him. Without flaring for long he threw this unicorn overboard into an almost safe dead on the ground.
Then he began to pursue the enemy pegasie.
Only when he saw a small group of pegasie landing on the deck of the ship in front of Electric Swing and holding their spears in front of them did he stop the attack.
With a loud crack, Swift Specter landed in front of Electric Swing and brought his wing into position, raising it protectively in front of Electric Swing, even if that left him a little vulnerable.
Two spears were also thrown, one bouncing harmlessly off the wing, the other cutting into Swift's flank and he winced a little in pain.
"I won't let you pass!" he said through clenched teeth
The enemies laughed and one of them, probably the highest in rank, stepped forward and laughed, "How are you going to stop us? Do you have a big plan to win?" they all laughed again, even Swift Specter joined in the laugh, then said, grinning grimly, "I don't have to win. I just can't lose!"
"What's the difference?" the enemy leader asked with a superior grin as another squadron of pegasias appeared behind them.

"The difference," Swift Specter began to explain, "is that I just had to hope for support while you should be gone before that happens." His grin widened when the new squadron started up smoke generators and the blue and yellow stiffeners pulled up in the sky that were now famous.
"The Wonderbolts!" called a sailor who had just been in the fight and started to cheer. The cheers could be heard all over the ship as the Wonderboults swept the sky clear. and as if that weren't enough, a mighty warship broke out of a cloud and began to target the two ships.

Author's Note

I'll use the Notes to explain things:

Smoke grenades and signal pistols:
Smoke grenades come in a number of different colors, but the most common are:

-Red: enemies discovered. the flight of the grenade shows in which direction.

-Yellow: Unknown contact. the flight of the grenade shows in which direction.

-Green: Everything is OK / Mission accomplished. It doesn't matter in which direction this grenade is fired.

Then there are special colors that display commands. These may only be used by or on behalf of the officer

-Black: Black smoke is very rare and has to be considered carefully, as black smoke is only sent when there is no longer any hope. It should say reinforcement that it's too late.
Mostly the use of the black smoke grenade ends in the dead or in captivity.

-purple: depending on the situation. mostly the recipient has to decide what is going on.

Other communication options:
-Telepatic: what unicorns are used for.

-Telegram: For more complex things, which are complex and take time, as well as a courier.

-Electronic radio transmission. Is just in its infancy. Ship to ship communication is possible

Light: You can send messages via a sequence of long and short signals. The color of a light can also show something

on Wings of Steel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Reinforcement or not, you have to realize that you are lost." said the enemy leader when he was about to throw his spear. A pink aura surrounded him and suddenly he and his soldiers were swept off the ship.
"About time, Twilight!" Electric Swing said a bit annoyed, but also relieved, "why did it take you so long?"
Twilight Sparkle looked a bit shocked, then said: "I ... I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I'm not a fighter!"
Swift Specter laughed softly as he sat on the ground: "You have just thrown a group of pegasi off an airship. They are fine, they will be able to recover the fall and then fly back to their front line if they don't get picked up by our anti air units."
That visibly calmed Twilight and she looked at how Swift was doing.
"You look terrible. Are you in a lot of pain?" she asked, supporting him on one side while Electric did the same on the other.
"Oh yes I am." Swift replied honestly, "my hooves are still numb from the electrical shock. and I think I sprained something on landing ... I'm sorry, but the wings were damaged in this test."
The enemy airship tried to get away as quickly as possible, but the warship gave it no chance. With rapid volleys of fire magic and burning spears, the enemy airship was set in ablaze.

All survivors of the supply ship were brought to the warship to be taken care of while the supply ship was repaired as best as it was possible.

Swift Specter was in the warship's infirmary tending to the wounds while Electric was making small repairs to the wings so he could move them back far enough to fold them back against his body.
"So ... but flying will not be possible for a while. First I have to exchange some controls, and then I have to control everything. How did you manage to recover your fall? Even more, how did you make it back to the ship?"
"I'm not sure ... Willpower maybe? Or because I didn't want to see what happened to my friends when i am not there?" Swift replied, wincing as the nurse applied disinfectant to a wound before bandaging it.
Electric smiled narrowly and said, "You don't have to do this for me."
Swift looked over his shoulder, looked straight into her eyes, as he replied, "You gave me wings, and more than that, now you are the wind under my wings. I see it that way, I owe you a everything for it."
"You two are so cute together." said the nurse, giggling when she saw Electric blush, "So that was the last sore. Here are a few painkillers, but we don't have much left. That was the second fight today our squadron had to fight and only the last in a long list."
Swift looked at the painkillers and handed them back: "Thanks, it will be okay. Give the pills to those who really need them."
"For example me." came a hoarse voice from beside Swift. As he turned his head he saw a cyan mare with a rainbow colored mane.

Swift almost jumped up, but Electric held him back, so he just saluted, "Commander Rainbow Dash! What an honor! What are you doing here?"
Commander Rainbow Dash smiled tiredly as she looked at the seargant in front of her, then said, "Hey, those wings that you have there ... are they good?" She ignored his question
"As far as I can tell, yes. The only thing missing is that you can feel the wind with them. If they could feel, they would be perfect. At least in my opinion"
Electric hit the metal of the wings gently with a wrench and said: "Now I'm almost blushing again." She beamed widely
"Very good." said Commander Rainbow Dash and turned, "Then I don't have to be transferred to a desk job afterall."
She walked towards the room she occupied and now Swift saw something that made him shudder.
Commander Rainbow Dash ... her left wing was missing. And the wound seemed fresh.

A little later, Swift Specter, Twilight Sparkle, and Electric Swing were in the warship's workshop tending to Swift Specter's wings. To make the whole thing easier, and to protect his sprain, he lay on his back and widened the wings so that the lower maintenance hatches were easy to reach.
It also allowed him to think better.
He looked around the workshop to see if somepony else was still there, and said when he couldn't see anyone: "Twilight ... Have you ever heard of the elements of harmony?"
Twilight looked at him, then said after a brief thought: "I think I've read about them, but only briefly. Why?"
Swift drew in a breath before saying, "I ... was dead. When I fell from the sky I was dead for a short time. I know it sounds strange, but I've been given a new mission." his gaze was directed to the ceiling.
"You are right, that sounds very strange." Electric admitted, "Sure it wasn't just a shock?"
Swift didn't answer that. In fact, he wasn't sure.
Electric looked at him a long time before she finished her job.
"okay that should have been it." she reported satisfied with herself.
Swift got up and flapped his wings a little, doing the pre-flight checks before getting into the air and hovering a little in the middle of the room.
"Ejup, everything is working perfectly again. Thank you, Electric." Swift said with a smile, "But if you'll excuse me, I'll lie down for a while. I'm totally tired." He was wincing as he landed backon his hoofs
"One moment please." said Twilight and suddenly stood extremely close to Swift, her nose almost touched his and she stared into his eyes: "How was it on the other side?"
"Dark, the floor was like marble. I don't think I was completely on the other side, more like that in an in-between world." answer Swift honestly
"and who was there?" Twilight asked further, her horn shining and she let a quill and a scroll float over to her.
"I was greeted by Death himself and then taken to an Alicorn called Destiny. She then gave me the order to find the elements. Are we done with the questions? I'm really tired." Swift kept his eyes fixed on her as she stepped aside and replied, smiling innocently, "Of course. Good night Swift."

"What was that?" Electric asked when Swift was gone.
"I wanted to know if he was telling the truth." replied Twilight, "and from what I've seen, I think he did that. I think he was ..." She was cut off.
"Good evening mares," said a rough voice. It was Commander Rainbow Dash, "I was told that when it comes to wings i have to turn to you."

The two looked at each other briefly, then back to Rainbow. Electric said with a smile: "Yes, but not only. I can do the mechanics, and Twilight here has everything to do with magic, but we still need a doctor who can fix the base of the wings to the spine."
Twilight nodded, "And only one wing would be replaced. We'd have to design a new prototype. One that's lighter so as not to put too much weight on one side."
"I understand." Rainbow Dash said, "We have received orders to tow the supply ship back to Canterlot. The damage is too serious to fly on. Maybe we can build a wing there that I can fly again."

The return flight was undisturbed. The injured were disembarked and taken to one of the Canterlot military hospitals.
Swift also had to report to an investigation. On the one hand, they wanted to see how their injuries were going, on the other hand, what exactly had happened.
"So. What did you do when you discovered the other ship?" asked an earth pony with a brown coat.
"I gave a signal with a yellow smoke grenade in the direction I saw the ship. It was too far away for me to see what it was up to. Or under what flag it was flying."
The earth pony shook everything up, then asked: "When did it become clear that the ship was hostile?"
Swift looked at him seriously when he replied, "When they started throwing spears and attack spells at me."
"and you didn't fire the red smoke grenade?" was the next question

"I didn't really have time for that." replied Swift

"I see. And then?"

"I was attacked and they threw a kind of laboratory flask at me. Above was a fuse, underneath it was probably flash powder, as it was used in old cameras at the old times, or black powder like in fireworks. That broke the glass and released a lightning, that hit my left wing and I ... lost consciousness. When I woke up again I was close to the ground, was able to stabilize when I saw light signals. I have to admit I was too dazed to see what they meant and where they came from. I took the signal pistol and fired the red smoke grenade at the battle above me. " Swift paused to drink from a glass of water and give the earth pony time to write everything down.

"That was when the 'Wrath of the Sun' saw you and tried to find out who you are and what your destination was, right?"

"As I said, I had no idea who or what was in front of me. I just knew that I had to get back on my feet quickly to fulfill a very important part of my mission. The protection of the mechanic and the student."

"What if the reinforcements hadn't arrived in time?"

"Then I would have fought and probably would have died."

"I understand. Thank you very much for your cooperation." The earth pony gave a short salute and then left.

Swift was released a little later. But his injuries gave him a few days of vacation, which he wasn't too happy about.
"You get assigned a squadron and you don't even make it to the front line ... Life is unfair ..." he said to Electric who was walking next to him and giggled.
"Look at it this way," she began, "The wings are a complete success. You can fly again, in combat they are even useful as a shield, and even Commander Rainbow Dash is now getting one." She looked thoughtfully at the sky, "Although I still have to think about how I can best save weight. Not that it simply tilts to the side when opening it. It would be impractical."
"She still has a real wing with feathers. Wouldn't it make sense to tap into the magic directly and not first save it in an MCU like with my wings? Surely many parts would be left out."
Electric stopped and looked at him in disbelief, before she asked in complete disbelief: "That's awesome! How did you come up with such an idea?"
Swift laughed as he replied, "oh thanks am I so stupid to you?"
"No, but it surprised me." she said again, "We can also try the few days off to improve your wings. I like to screw you over."
"Ha ha ha." Swift stuck his tongue out at her, and he tasted water.
It began to rain.
Without thinking twice, Swift opened his wings and held them over Electric like an umbrella. he had to open the other wing because otherwise he would fall to the side.
"Th-thanks ..." said Electric and turned red, "But what about you? You're getting wet and catching a cold!"
"Oh, that little bit of water." replied Swift, looking up into the sky and closing his eyes, "I used to like to be outside in the rain. There was nothing better than getting completely wet and then let the sun shine on your feathers ..." he stopped, his smile disappeared. His eyes grew sad, too, which saddened Electric the most.
Without thinking twice, she leaned against him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. It was nothing more than a quick peck, but Swift looked at her like she'd burned his cheek.
She smiled openly at him, blushed a little and said: "That was for saving me."
His mouth was a little open and the rain was getting stronger.
"We ... better go." suggested Electric for, but pushed onto his flank. Swift nodded and walked on with her, making sure that Electric didn't get soaked.
And he was trembling slightly.

"Yes, your Majesty. Those were his words." said Twilight Sparkle, bowing deeply to Princess Celestia, "I thought I'd better let you know."
"Very well, thank you, Mrs. Sparkle." said Celestia, then asked a guard: "I would like sergeant Swift Specter to get an invitation. He should please come to the castle as soon as possible. That is of the greatest importance."
"It will be done!" replied the guard and got up and away.
"Mrs. Sparkle." Celestia said further, "I would like to have you with me too. Please, follow me." Twilight got up and followed as quickly as she could. Then on a balcony Celestia teleported herself and Twilight to a tower, opened the door ...
and revealed heaven on earth for Twilight.
There were books everywhere, the whole room was a library.
Celestia looked around and saw what she was looking for. A book floated over to them and landed on a reading stand. There Celestia opened it and began to explain what the elements of harmony were all about.

Meanwhile, Swift and Electric had arrived at Electric's home.
"Do ... you want to come in?" Electric asked, "I could make us both a coffee."
Swift couldn't help but snort at this statement, asked: "You couldn't be more cliché, right?" He smiled openly, "I would like it. But really only a coffee. I have to warm up a bit and then I should continue."
"Oh no, not like that. Now you stay outside." Electric answered with a laugh and was about to let him pass when two royal guards came trotting up.
"sergeant Swift Specter, The Princess would like to see you immediately. Please follow us." said one of the two. Swift was surprised, then nodded, "I'll be right there." he said, looking at Electric over his shoulder: "Well ... so much for that. Another time okay?"
"OK." Electric said and waved to him, "see you then."

The guards took Swift to the castle, then to a side wing, up a flight of stairs into a tower. There he met Celestia and Twilight Sparkle, who was leaning over a pile of books and seemed to be reading them all at the same time.
Swift bowed low to Celestia and said, "sergeant Swift Specter, at your service."
"Get up, my little pony." said Celestia and told him to sit down on the sofa opposite.
Swift looked down at himself and said, "Your Highness, if you don't mind I'd like to stand by the fireplace and dry some and warm up."
"Suit yourself." said Celestia and watched Swift stand by the fireplace before she continued: "Do you have any idea why you are here?"
Swift looked at Twilight, thought for a moment, and replied uncertainly, "I think it had something to do with what happened on the flight."
"Exactly. And what do you think it will be?" Celestia asked further
"If I had to guess, I would say it's about what I told Twilight Sparkle. Your sister Destiny gave me a mission."
Celestia looked at him with big eyes, then got up and walked over to him, looking deep into his eyes when she asked. "You spoke to Destiny in person?"
"Yes your highness." was the short answer.
Celestia continued to look at him, but when he held her gaze she went back: "What kind of mission should you fulfill?"
Swift, now a little more certain, said honestly: "She gave me the assignment to find the elements of harmony and to free your little sister Luna from a nightmare."
Celestia gave a snort before she got up again and mumbled to herself: "So much not to interfere ... but always teach me ..." She closed her eyes, straightened up and pointed her hoof at Swift, said in a very authoritarian tone: "sergeant Swift Specter. this order is being barer out as if it came from me. your new mission is to locate the carriers of the elements. i will lead you to the elements themselves ..." she looked the window, "As soon as the rain has stopped."

A few hours passed as Twilight came around the corner with one discovery after another. She also found a date: "It says here that the Mare in the Moon escapes her prison on the thousandth summer solstice. That would be ... next year? Yes, next year, in less than 11 months!"
"Good that Destiny gave us a way out." Swift muttered, looking at the clouds. He opened his wings and started the pre-flight checks.
Celestia watched him and it hurt her soul a little to see one of her ponies suffering. But she was also proud that he didn't let it show.
"The weather will improve in a few minutes." Swift said and read his head a little, "Where exactly are we going?"
Celestia got up and stood next to him, the clouds still looked exactly to her as they did at the beginning of the rain.
"Ponyville ... The Everfree Forest to be exact," she said and looked down at him, proud in her gaze but sadness in her heart.

Author's Note

Explanation of topic: MCU

The Magic Containment Unit (MCU) is a battery based on a gemstone matrix. The gem magically gathers and stores it until it is retrieved by a process that Electric Swing calls "nudging". Theoretically it is possible to change the batteries, but that would require help. The gems are rather rare, which is why you shouldn't just throw them away, except in the case of a mixture of magic. While it is not as bad when earth pony magic and pegasus magic mix, the high values the unicorns generate can easily overload the MCU resulting in a ... unsatisfactory situation

on Wings of Steel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

As Swift Specter had said, the clouds loosened a few minutes later.
"Then let's go." he said and flew in formation with Celestia. it was automatically and by habit he was taken on the position of a wing pony. He also searched everything for hazards. After all, he was now responsible for the safety of Princess Celestia, at least in his eyes he was. She, however, flew leisurely next to him and kept looking at him, asked at some point: "Did it hurt a lot, my little pony?"
Swift looked straight, his eyes filled with pain, before he replied, "I hardly remember what happened. I was hit, crashed and passed out. When I really woke up, I was already in the hospital. under treatment with pain medication. "
She kept looking at him, waiting for him to continue speaking.
Swift noticed that and closed his eyes for a moment, "I think the worst was when I realized it myself. At first I didn't feel different, but then I understood. Then it hurt incredibly. Not physically, but everything I am has been lost.
I ... I also thought about ending it ... "
"But you didn't." said Celestia.
"Just because I was previously visited by your student Twilight Sparkle. If it hadn't been for her and Electric Swing, there would have been very little that it would have been worth living for me. I'm very grateful that they came."
Celestia nodded, but nothing was said for a while.

A storm caught up with them again over Ponyville. Swift looked at the clouds and then said, "Your Highness, I have to ask you to land so we can go to a shelter."
Celestia laughed softly then asked with a challenging look: "Afraid of getting a little soaked, sergeant?"
Swift managed a small smile when he said, "Not that, Your Highness, but my wings are sensitive to lightning as I have found out. And I was just lucky the last time that I wasn't hurt more when lightning hit me."
Celestia's smile faded and she grew serious again, began to descend.
"I'm sorry, sergeant. That was very rude of me." she said when they landed near a farm called "Sweet Apple Acers".
"It doesn't matter, Your Highness, you couldn't have known that." Swift said and went to the farm. The terrain was not particularly beautiful to look at, it was heavily industrialized. He led the princess to the house on the farm and knocked.

"Alright, Alright, ya can stop banging on ma Door." came an annoyed voice from inside, "Who in tarnation is there?"
When the door opened, Swift found himself facing an orange mare with a blond mane.
"Good evening." Swift said, bowing slightly, "I apologize for the sudden appearance, but would it be possible to find shelter here from the storm? I'm not really all-weather capable." He smiled apologetically with a glance at his metal wings.
"and who are ya?" she asked further, then saw Celestia and seemed to freeze with disbelive.
"My name is Swift Specter, i am sergeant in the Royal Guard, and I don't need to introduce who she is." he smiled slyly.

"Please, only if there are no problems." Celestia said with a smile, "But like my sergeant said, His wings don't allow you to fly in ... difficult weather."
"Am a dreaming?" asked the mare incredulously, then bowed quickly: "Your majesty! How can we be of service to ya?"
"It is not necessary that you make extra effort. We only rest briefly until the storm is over." said Celestia, "But if there is no trouble, could my companion and I have some tea?"
"Tea as you wish!" said the mare and hurried away, calling for two others on the way, named Big Mac and Applebloom.
Swift looked around a bit and it was strange. This house looked very old but in good shape. signs of a proud family history could be seen everywhere.
"Ah." Celestia said suddenly as she looked at a picture, "The Apple family. I remember giving them this land for their farm and Ponyville." she started smiling.

A little later, the three residents of the house, Applejack, Big Mac and a Filly named Applebloom, were sitting on one side of the room and Celestia with Swift on the other. As Swift quickly found out, all three were siblings. The parents had died some time ago and recently the great-grandmother also died.
"it's very nice here." said Celestia at some point and looked around the room.
"Thanks ..." was Applejack's quiet reply. She seemed to pause for a moment when Applebloom asked out of the blue, "What is the Princess of Equestria doing so far from her castle?" It sounded genuinely curious, and not like a reproach or criticism.
"We're looking for something in the Everfree Forest. An old ruin, in which I used to live," Celestia replied with a smile, probably happy that the quiet was gone.
Swift stayed out of it. it was her privilege to freely distribute such information.
"Ah ... can I have metal wings like him?" the little one asked and pointed to Swift.
"I'm afraid that won't work." Celestia said with a giggle
"Why not?" Applebloom asked, "If one earth pony can do it with another."
Swift swallowed hard. he felt the anger rise in him
But he couldn't be mad at a Filly just because she didn't know. He calmed down again and then said softly: "I don't bink an earth pony. I was once a Pegasus before I lost both of my wings in a fight. These are prostheses. If it were possible I would just say: no more wings? No problem earth pony it is, but I don't have the same strength or stamina as you have. Without these prostheses I'm nothing. "
Applejack looked at the Filly and said: "I think you've been annoying our guests long enough. Apologize to him."
"No, it's okay." Swift said a bit depressed, "I should get used to it happening more and more."
Applejack bit his lower lip, then said, "It's still not right. As an apology, I'll accompany you to the Everfree Forest and take you to the ruins. By air, it's far too dangerous. The closer you get to the center, the more unpredictable the weather becomes. In addition, only recently a Pegasus has disappeared, maybe Wyona and I can find a lead on the occasion. "
"We would be grateful for the company." said Celestia with a smile.
"But Sis, don't you always say we shouldn't go in there?" Applebloom asked with a skeptical look.
"We're not going in either, I'm going with an almighty princess and a soldier. Don't worry, we'll take care of each other."

A little later, Applejack, Celestia and Swift made their way to the Everfree Forest, accompanied by a K9 in case they actually find a trace of the Pegasus that was missing.
Swift had also agreed to pull one of the wooden wagons, which Celestia said they might need one.
Why they wanted to go then was a mystery to Swift, but okay.

So they trotted into the forest for a few hours. It was really scary, even by Swift standards.
"I feel absolutely uncomfortable here." He admitted after a while, "It feels ... wrong here."
"Everfree is not really a place for ponies either." said Celestia, "there are all kinds of creatures here that do not have our benevolence in mind."
Swift swallowed, but then took heart and said again in his military function as sergeant: "Your Highness, if I have to, I will fight to the bitter end. Can you then please take care of the civilian? At least she helps us. "
Celestia looked at him and stopped: "I don't think that will be necessary."

Then, deep in the forest, the dog barks to attract attention and growled in a certain direction. Applejack looked through the thicket and then said, "Oh, I see the missing pony! Can you help me, soldier?"
Swift nodded, parked the car, and followed her through the brush. On the other side, Swift could see the splash of color in the dark forest. He took off to get a few meters up, and to pull the Pegasus out of the tree, when he noticed that the tree on the side was red.
Swift knew the sight.
His heart started pumping, the adrenaline rushed into his veins, he just wasn't sure whether to fight or flee until the moment when a wooden creature wanted to pounce on him.
"Timberwolf!" Applejack called, backing away so as not to be flattened by the creature as it jumped at them. Swift, now able to see the enemy completely, took a dive and landed on the creature's snout, squeezing it shut and the creature to the ground, where it skidded across the ground.
With a kick in the creature's eyes, it shrank back, howling.
"That's how it should have been." Swift said grimly
"Oh no, that was just the beginning." Applejack said, "Grab the Pegasus and ..."
"She is dead." interrupted Swift, "Torn by that Timberwolf."
With a closer look Applejack could see for himself that the colored remains were only the back of the ponies. Everything else was gone and the innards were hanging out.
Applejack almost threw up at the sight, but then said: "We cant let her remains here!"
Swift bit his lip, then said harshly, "Yes we can. There's nothing we can do for her other than survive and say what happened to her."
Applejack bit his lip, but there was more than a Timberwolf howl.
"Gosh darn it!" Applejack exclaimed and ran while Swift landed and closed his eyes to better rely on his ears.
He heard movement.
Something tried to sneak up to his left, something bigger from the direction in which the first Timberwolf had run. on his right and behind him everything was free.
There ... the left has stopped moving.
"is ... is she dead?" a young voice asked and Swift's eyes widened.
The Filly from the farmhouse stood next to him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked through clenched teeth and raised his wing to block the little girl's view of the corpse.

"I wanted to help." said applebloom, shocked. then a timber wolf broke out of the forest in front of them, followed by a second and a third.
Swift gritted his teeth, turned and stood in front of the Filly. What would he give now for his battle gear and a spear. All he was wearing was just the normal uniform.
He took a deep breath, said softly: "Appelbloom ... run. Run as fast as you can to the wagon. I'll hold these creatures for as long as I can."
He expanded his wings, also to look bigger, and strode towards these beings, towards his enemies.
"but ..." began the Filly, then Swift turned around and yelled: "RUN!"
The little one took her legs in her hoofs and ran.
A Timber Wolf used the short distraction to bite Swift in the wing, which was pointless and without damage. With the other wing Swift struck the attacking Timberwolf on the nose and managed to break free.
"I hope you are very hungry and have a lot of time ... I will not make it easy for you." Swift snorted and dodged further, with individual flaps of his wing he moved across the ground, changed direction in the air, and scratched the wooden bodies of the Timberwolves.
No, he won't be easy prey.
Besides, he only had to fight for a while, untile the filly got away.
It would work.
hopefully...

Celestia had waited by the wagon and checked out the area. It all looked so different from what she remembered. There used to be a splendid street, a small town, gardens ...
It was all lost a long, long time ago. Far longer than her sister's exile had been.
The castle and a safe road were the last things the Everfree had gotten, but now everything here belonged to the forest.
There was a grumble, then screams and something that sounded like a fight.
Shortly thereafter, Appeljack broke through the bush and said, "Princess Celestia, we were attacked by a Timber Wolf! Please help Swift!"
Shortly afterwards Applebloom broke out of the bush and ran to the wagon, "Sis! The soldier has to fight three Timber Wolves! We have to help him!" called the little one
"Applebloom? What in tarnation are you doing here?" Applejack asked, startled.
"I followed you because I wanted to help!" said the little one, and sobbed
Celestia spread her wings, said, "stay here." and rose up to look after Swift. This was surrounded by three timber wolves, and lay on the ground, under the paw of one of the beasts. Its wings just held the creature's mouth open when the horn of Celestia lit up and golden rays burned down, burned one of the wolves, then another, the last one Swift had in its mouth, was literally torn apart. Then she landend next to Swift. "Is everything okay, sergeant? Are you injured?"
"just my pride." Swift said, getting up again with trembling legs, "That wouldn't have happened to me with my real wings. They would have grabbed me out of the air that easy."
"I believe you, sergeant, but we should go back." replied Celestia and rose again into the air. the forest was too thick for her to go trought it, but Swift preferred to walk. He didn't want to show the princess that he had injured his back when he had fought with the beast and kept its mouth open.

He came back to the wagon, winced when he reattached the wagon, but didn’t let it be seen that he was in pain.
Little Applebloom was sitting in the wagon and looked shocked, Applejack ran along next to the wagon and scolded the little one. Swift was just glad they'd all survived. It's just a shame that there wouldn't be any better news about the missing Pegasus

Celestia had to lower the sun when she got to the old castle, which gave her a little sting in the heart. She walked through the ruins, further down the hall, to an old balcony. she used to do that here, and her sister would pull out the moon. Now she had to do it all by herself.
"Your Highness." came a cautious voice from behind her. It was Swift, "I just wanted to say thank you for the rescue."
"You don't have to, my little pony." she said when she had brought the moon up, "They are soldiers like you who have my respect. You could have just left the Filly behind and saved yourself, but you decided to buy her time."
"It is the duty of a soldier to protect the population. And if it means that an old pegasus without real wings dies so that a Filly lives, so be it."
This answer made Celestia more thoughtful, and she looked at the moon for a while.
"Now that I know your sister was banished to the moon ... is she the mare in the moon?" Swiftn asked after a while.
Celestia just nodded and replied: "Yes, she is the mare in the moon from the story. But she was not always like that. Actually, she is an artist, and very funny. I miss her very much."
Swift sighed softly and sat on the floor next to her and looked up with her.

The next morning, Swift hadn't even noticed that he had fallen asleep, he woke up the other two by the fire, but Celestia was nowhere to be seen. He had to look for her until he found her in a small room, lying there in a bed. In fact, the room was still relatively good, and the bed looked more comfortable than the floor. It was not until a little later that Swift thought that this could have been her room.
"good morning, sergeant." said Celestia and got up again, stretched herself, "I had hoped to be able to sleep for an hour or two after raising the sun."
Swift smiled narrowly, but unfortunately he couldn't help but say, "Unfortunately, that's not possible, Your Highness. We have to find the elements first. And I would also like to say that we are not prepared for such a long outing. Applejack and her sister are looking for something to eat around the castle. "

Applejack came to a separate room that she wanted to cross, her little sister Applebloom close by.
"Hey Sis, take a look at this." Filly said and pointed to a statue. Applejack looked at her and at that moment ... she felt a slight pull. She followed the train and one of the balls on this statue began to glow.
"What in Tarnation ..." she began as it got very bright for a sec.

Celestia startled when she saw the light.
"Impossible!" she called and just teleported away, making Swift take the long way, who first had to gallop the way through the castle.

Author's Note

Notes:

I tried to use the Apple family accent at first, but I couldn't. Anyone who can help me is cordially invited to do so ^^

on Wings of Steel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

It was wonderful to glide through the cool evening air. Every now and then he flapped his wings to keep up with the airship, but otherwise it was very quiet. after a while, Swift was even able to see the little light the night patrols had on their hind legs. If he still had the correct schedule in his mind, the Batpony would still be there.
Swift flapped his wing to pick up some speed and slowly approached until he was level with the Batpony. to his astonishment, the batpony had closed his eyes.
"Specialist, what are you doing?" he asked
"I am listening." was the short answer
"On what? It's pretty quiet" Swift couldn't hear anything when the batpony opened its mouth again and uttered a shrieeeek that was quite loud.
Then the batpony was silent again.
Swift didn't know what to make of it until he remembered. Bats used echosound to orient themselves in the dark. Obviously it was similar with Batponys.
"Ah i understand." he said softly, "Does it bother you if I fly a little aside you, specialist ... what's your name?"
The Batpony gave a small sigh, then said: "My name is Night Watch. Please don't laugh."
Swift couldn't help but grin when he said, "So ... did you choose the job by your name or did the job come to you?"
Night Watch gave a humorless laugh and said, "oh yeah that's so funny ... The name goes oh so well with the job. It just has to be that this is one big bucking joke."
"Specialist Watch, I really didn't mean to offend you. I apologize." said Swift, remembering very well every time he was called an earth pony, "I was just here to see if I could help. Or do you need something?"
"Coffee ... in large quantities ..." was Night Watch's answer.

To get to know Night Watch better, Swift had actually brought him coffee. The night shift on such long flights was something that few could or would do. Daytime attacks were more common, after all, and being up all night beforehand was no fun in a battle.
"Thank you." said Night Watch and took a sip. "Hmm, even warm."
"Of course. I don't want to be known just as the terrible new sergeant. I want to be there for our squadron." Swift said with a smile. From the documents he knew that it was the Stormbreaker Squadron. He had left out all other documents. He wanted to get to know the ponies personally under his command.
"Well, we were surprised when we were told that you were coming to us from a testing brigade. We couldn't imagine why." Night Watch said, then looked over at Swift, "But then it became obvious. It must be terrible to lose your wings."
"is it." Swift confessed with a very sad expression on his face, "Actually, I shouldn't allow myself to do something like this. So just fly around. I should lie down and let the MCUs charge so that I'm ready to go."
"But you had a nightmare." Night Watch said for sure.
"How do you know that?" Swift asked alarmed.
"I suspected it. No matter what it was that cost you your wings, it will surely still haunt you." Night Watch cracked his neck, "my shift will be over in three hours. You should go to sleep."
Swift looked at him, laughed and played a salute: "Yes Sir, General Sir!" he still grinned: "Then I won't bother you any further. Good luck and a clear sky."
"You too, sergeant Swift." said Night Watch and saluted, "clear sky and good rest."
With these words and a salute, Swift tipped over and fell back. He landed gently on the wooden deck of the airship when he heard faint hoofsteps.

Electric came up to Swift slowly and sleepily, asked in a tired voice. "Swift? What are you doing so late out here? You should sleep and not fly around."
Swift chuckles, then saw how tired Electric actually was and stood next to her to catch her as she fell asleep while standing.
"You're not the blooming life either, are you?" Swift said with a grin, as Electric snuggled up to him and sighed softly before she replied, "I'm worried about you. Your mission is not easy, we have this terrible war and I've seen ponies die. More than that, I have See you almost die and I realized how important you are to me. " She yawned heartily before continuing, "I realized at that moment that I have probably fallen in love with you for the last few months. You are grumpy at times, but you've never given up. And when you are not grumpy, you are really Fun and full of Laughter and Loyal to your Friends. I admire that." She leaned her head against him and almost fell asleep again.
She couldn't see Swift blush.
He might be a battle-hardened soldier, but that was unexpected.
He pulled his wing out between Electric and himself, and put it over Electric, so she was even closer to him, and said quietly. "You're so tired you're talking crazy stuff. Come on, I'll take you back to bed." He led the sleepwalking mare back to her cabin, led her to the bed, and was just about to leave when he felt her hoof wrap around his and pull him towards her.
"don't go." she said sleepily
"okay ... for once I'll stay." Swift replied and went to bed with her

In the morning Electric woke up again, but felt a little heavier than usual. When she opened her eyes she could see why. Swift was in bed with her, still asleep it seems, with one wing over her, the other hanging down and touching the floor, probably as a counterweight.
She started to blush.
Electric only vaguely remembered yesterday that she had observed Swift on a night flight. She remembered how beautiful the wings had shone in the moonlight when he leaned at the right angle, and she still remembered that he looked thoughtful.
"are you finally awake?" Swift asked with his eyes closed and a smile on the muzzle.
"I ... uhm ... yes i am awake." replied Electric uncertainly.
"Good ... good ... Can I have my hoof back?" Swift opened his eyes and smiled at her.
At first she didn't know what he meant until she saw that she was holding his hoof with her hooves.
She blushed even more as she let go of the hoof.
"So-sorry!" Electric was very ashamed.
"doesn't matter." Swift replied, "I have to admit I slept better than before. Now that I knew you were safe."
To Electric's surprise, he put his forehead to hers and looked deep into her eyes, "I had a nightmare, you know. I dreamed that something bad happened to you. After that I couldn't sleep anymore."

"You dream about me?" Electric asked in a high pitched voice, her face completely flushed.
She didn't expect that. Not a bit.
Then she felt the wing rise over her and Swift climb out of bed. As he stood there, Electric noticed that he was still wearing his everyday uniform, like she was wearing her overalls. Only her saddlebag with the tools hung over the chair.
With an audible creak, Swift stretched and turned almost every joint.
"Yes from time to time." he said then, "Unfortunately, it is mostly nightmares in which something terrible happens to you. After that I usually wake up and can no longer sleep."
"I'm sorry." said Electric and looked ashamed to the ground,
Swift gave a small smile, then said, "It's not your fault. I just care a lot for you."

Both came a little late for breakfast. The bigger mistake, however, was showing up together.
"I see you and Electric spent a bit of the night together, huh?" Commander Dash asked with a sly grin as she poked her elbow in his side.
"Possibly." Swift said, "maybe she just picked me up because I overslept, I was with Specialist Watch on patrol last night and brought him coffee."
"Ah yes? Really?" Rainbow Dash still had that Sly smile on her face.
"Aye." Swift said, "And even if there was nothing wrong with that. She's a civilian, I'm in the military. Now, would you please let your jealousy rest so I can have breakfast?"
That made everyone laugh, even Commander Dash.
"Okay, I'll admit it was a good counter." she said, "For that you only get 10 laps around the airship, sergeant."
Swift smiled, "Commander. But I'll make it 20 laps."
Commander Dash was about to ask how he was going to do it, when Swift stole her dessert and galloped out of the canteen, an angry Rainbow Dash behind him.

After the 30 rounds, Rainbow had no joke about her dessert, Swift was in the airship's workshop. Electric had set up a kind of station for him that he could lie on with his stomach, and brackets that held the wings.
It felt so good not to feel the weight and not have to do anything but be present.
"Any problems with the wings?" Electric asked as she opened the service hatches, both the top and bottom.
"no not recently." Swift said relaxed, "this place is great. Thanks Electric."
"With pleasure." said Electric and got to work.
Simple maintenance, nothing earth-shattering.
Still, Swift saw out of the corner of his eye how Electric reached for her mouth. and then she stuck some gum inside his wing.
"I saw that ..." he said and looked at her nervously.
"Don't worry, it's only supposed to hold two cables together. My father did that many times. Sticks better than any super glue. And I don't have any more zipties." Electric answered with a grin.
"Comforting ... really comforting ..." Swift smiled.
He trusted her.

A little later there was also a medical check, where Swift first met Fluttershy in the infirmary. In her role as a doctor, she seemed to be much more open than in private, if only a little.
"Any pain?" she asked just as she examined Swift.
"my back hurts from time to time. The bed I have is not really comfortable with the wings on my back." said Swift.
"I see ..." she examined his back and pressed lightly against it. a small plop was heard as a vertebra shifted back into position, as well as a gasp from Swift.
"oh wow, that feels better! thank you very much!" he beamed down his back.
"That's the least I can do." said Fluttershy. you could tell by her that she was trying not to see the wings.
Swift sighed, then stood up and stretched.
"Oh yes, much better" he said and trudged a little on the spot, "I feel better than I have in a long time."
That brought a smile to Fluttershy.

According to the schedule, Swift wasn't on patrol until the evening, so he used the time to rummage through the library that Twilight had brought to the airship. He was sitting with a book on one of the much more comfortable armchairs and was reading comfortably when a flame came through the window and flew to Twilight.
"What is this?" Swift asked alarmed. So many books and then fire too?
"This is a message from Princess Celestia! Probably an answer to my Daily Reports." Twilight said with joy.
Indeed, the fire turned into a scroll and Twilight began to read it.
"Yes, it's from her and she thanks for the update. But she also asks that we all behave in a friendly manner, that we all rely on each other, no matter what. That is a somewhat strange request."
Swift thoughtfully looked out of the window through which the fire had come and said: "It doesn't sound bad at all. A troop that knows each other, who knows how the other thinks, is ready to knock on the gates of Tartarus. All just to to protect the friend fighting by his side. I like that. " he turned back to his book.

The evening patrol was as smooth as it was.
But they also moved parallel to the front line and tried to avoid contact. He was flying with Sharp Wing a little higher than the airship when Sharp pointed forward. Swift saw it too.
A friendly airship flew the other direction and signaled with light signals that they had received the radio message.
"I wish radios were small enough to carry." Swift said with a smile, "That would save us a lot."
Sharp just nodded with an mmmhmm and kept her eyes open.

When Swift landed, Night Watch was on his way to patrol. "Clear skies and calm flight, specialist." said Swift and went back inside. He noticed that Sharp Wing stopped and talked to Night Watch longer. He seemed happy about it.
Swift would keep an eye out, but he was far from intervening.

The last point of the day was a debriefing with the found elements, sergeant Swift, the two civilians Twilight and Electric and the captain of the airship and his first officer.
"We have a rough direction." reported Twilight, "The route we made that day gave us some rough calculations, but the more we fly the more precise it gets. It seems like our first stop is Manehattan."
There was a loud shudder from everyone.
"That's more than a million ponies there. How are we going to find a mare there?" asked Commander Dash.
Nobody had an answer.
"let's build this bridge when we get to the cliff." Electric said after a while, "We have good news too."
Twilight nodded: "Oh yes we have. Electric and I are working on flight packs for the non-Pegasus crew. In case the ship has to be abandoned. Or if we want to set up an outpost and have a unicorn or two with us." She proudly presented a prototype. "There are also horseshoes that I have provided with magic, so that these unicorns can stand on clouds."

Finally some free time.
Swift went back to Twilight's library for this. to his surprise, he met Electric, Applejack Fluttershy and even Commander Dash there.
"As I can see it's mare's evening here. I'll come back another time." Swift said smiling, but from inside came a "no, stay!" It seemed to come from Electric, but she sank deeper into her chair, her crimson cheeks.
"We were just talking about you, Swift." Rainbow Dash said with a cheeky grin, "What did I hear from Electric? You're a real gentlecolt. You keep your wing open to protect her from the rain ... let her sleep under your wing."
"Yeah ... well? I owe her so much." Swift asked, standing next to Electric and wrapping his wing around her, "I mean, I couldn't do this without her. So she deserves it."
"But Swift." Electric continued with bright red cheeks, "Fluttershy and Rainbow say Pegasus only do that with their ... partners."
"Yes ... and? Didn't you tell me your love on the flight deck this morning?" Swift asked with a big smile.
Electric squeaked and hit the hooves over her eyes so she wouldn't have to see anything.
The other mares laughed and generally thought it was funny until Swift leaned over and whispered in Electric's ear, "You're the wind under my wings, Electric. If you want it ..." he kissed her gently on the forehead, "I would be an idiot to say no. "
Electric looked at him in surprise and then beamed, feeling his neck.
They didn't care that the others applauded. Both enjoyed finding something in this war that has become very rare.
"But you two will hold back, won't you?" Dash asked, "Not that the airship is being shaken properly here." she gave a smugface.
"I do not promise anything." Swift said with a cheeky grin.

Author's Note

Stormbreaker Squadron

Members:
-Sergeant Swift Specter (Leader)
-Specialist Night Watch (Night patrol/ Fighter)
-specialist Sharp Wing (Scout/Fighter)
-specialist Arctic Bolt (Scout/Fighter)
-specialist Lucky Shadow (Support)
-specialist Ruby Rain (Heavy Support)
-Private Amethyst Fire (greenhorn)

Role and Equipment:

The Leader:
The leader carries a signal pistol and several smoke cartridges with him, as well as binoculars. He is armed with a simple spear or with two blades mounted on the gauntlet.

The Scout:
Scouts carry lighter equipment with them. The body armor is somewhat reduced in favor of mobility. The binoculars are standard equipment here too, the spear is a shorter, lighter variant

The Support:
Supporters are those who serve as medics in the field and, if necessary, distribute the heavy supporter's spears. They also carry water and food with them should the mission go further.

The Heavy Support:
Heavy supporters usually carry equipment such as extra spears, spare binoculars and a field camp. They also carry all medical equipment and supplies with them.

Greenhorns:
Exactly where the term greenhorn comes from is unknown, but they are new to a squadron and have no specific role yet. Their equipment is based on that of the common soldiers until they decide on a specialty.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

During the days of the journey towards the east, something like a routine became established. However, that changed on the last day.
The whole ship was in an uproar, unicorns went to station, the two squadrons were ordered to the deck, the shrill of the alarm horns was deafening.
All signs pointed to a fight.
When the squadrons had started, Commander Rainbow Dash stormed out of the ship's superstructure and shouted: "ATTENTION!"
Everypony let the rear hooves click on the deck and stood at attention.
"We just received a radio message from Manehattan! The city is under attack from the sea. The Crystal Empire has launched an invasion and has already invaded the city a few blocks. Civilians are evacuated by train, but they need more time. Every airship has immediate action been ordered, including our ship. " Commander Dash roared over the din of the alarm, "Our two squadrons will fly into town for direct hoof-to-hoof combat, while our airship is also helping with the evacuation by securing the airspace around the train station."
She stood in front of everpony else at the first starting position, shouted: "Attention, ready, GO!"
Everyone galloped towards the end of the airship, then across the edge, and rose into the air.

Swift flew around the airship once for the others to rally, with him at the head of the squadron.
A salute to the ship, especially in the direction of Electric from him, and they flew in the direction of Manehattan.
"Okay Stormbreakers, let's show the wonderbolts what we can do. I know we don't have a lot of practice together, so I'm relying on you to show me what you can do! Let's clear the Skys and save some Ponies!" Swift called over his shoulder
The city was in front of them and they could see the thick black columns of smoke from fires raging everywhere. Airships on both sides fought each other, every now and then one of them crashed when the unicorns on one side had overpowered the other.
It was a real exchange of blows, sometimes two or three ships against one, others were alone, no battle formations, no order, just chaos.
"Hey, sergeant!" Commander Dash called and flew alongside him, "We're going north of the station, you take south. Any target that can be fought may be attacked. Free hunt!"
Swift saluted, then gave a hoof sign pointing everyone to follow, and turned the Stormbreakers slightly so they would come out south.

Electric went to work and immediately began getting the ship ready for action, even if she was not trained. She knew how the machines worked, so she would make sure they gave as much power as possible.
"To all stations, this is the captain" came the PA system alive, "We're going in. Damage control to your stations! We'll have to punch our way through to the train station."
Twilight came to Electric in the engine room and said, "What are you doing here? We have to get off the ship, this is going to be dangerous!"
"I can't." Electric said and opened a valve, "Swift is out there fighting. I have to do this for him." She looked over her shoulder, began to smile, "Besides ... I think we're almost safer up here in the air than on the ground."
Another earth pony pushed his way past Twilight with a: "Sorry, ma'am", and also came into the machine room. He just nodded to Electric and then began working on his part of the machines.
"This is insane!" Twilight said, "We don't have combat training!"
"You can create this shield, right?" Electric asked, "Why don't you help with that? It just takes concentration and will, and you have both." She smiled encouragingly
"Fine! But woe to anyone complain if something happens!" Twilight said and left.
"She'll be fine." said the earth pony from earlier, "Anyone who worries so much does their best."

Swift waved a hoof and gave the order to form a line behind him. The others obeyed and together they followed him between two enemy airships that could not shoot because otherwise they would only hit each other. Behind it, Swift took a dive to fly under a crashing airship below. He could see ponies falling, others clinging desperately to the burning airship.
This was a real battle.
Further ahead he could see an enemy airship approaching quickly.
"Sharp, Arctic, follow me!" he called over his shoulder, "Lucky, Ruby, stay back a little. Private Amethyst, Night you tou stay with them and give them cover!"
a common: "Yes Sir!" rang out and the group split up.
"What's the plan, sir?" Arctic asked next to Swift.
"We fly so that we are a difficult target. Then I try to damage the ropes of the enemy ship with the edge of my wing, so that it crashes." Swift replied, "If that doesn't work, I'll need some help."
"Yes Sir!" both said and began to fly a complicated path, sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes left and right. both of them had practiced this very well and Swift tried to adjust when enemy spells came flying towards them. They made it close and the metal wings actually cut through the ropes holding the balloon. One approach and the airship fell to the ground.
"Kill!" Swift said with a grim grin,
"Kill Confirmed!" the other two reported, while Sharp said with a grin: "Does that still count as one or is it more?"

The three flew back to the other four. and continue together. The narrow streets of the city were a problem and only provided safety for enemy airships.
"Enemy Squadron, behind us and higher than us!" reported specialist Night, "They saw us!"
"Break!" Swift called and turned left, into a cross street, followed by Specialist Night and Private Amethyst. the other four flew right into the same cross street. The entire enemy squadron followed the three to the left, who turned right again in the next street.
"They're on our necks!" Private Amethyst called a little panicked.
"Stay calm, private. Fear and despair accompany death." Swift said, hoping Death wouldn't hate him for saying, "Just do it like Specialist Night. Keep calm." a spear flew through between the three and Private Amethyst dodged a little too much. Her wing touched a building and with a small crack Swift could hear the wing break. Specialist Night and sergeant Swift saw this and both immediately plummeted to catch the falling mare. Only Swift had an advantage over Night. Its wings were harder to break, so it could go a little faster. He managed to catch the mare, but now it was very deep and very slow.
Horse feathers ...
"Go find the rest of the squadron!" Swift called to Night, "We need reinforcements!"
"Yes, Sir!" Night called back.

"Sir, leave me behind!" Private Amethyst said with a sob, "I'm just slowing you down."
"No, I won't, and now move your hooves, private!" Swift landed next to one of the tall skyscrapers. and pushed her in, ran with her towards the basement. to his surprise, the two found civilians there. Without waiting, Swift pointed to two pegasias: "You and you, take care of the private here. I'll guard the door. Should anything happen, who can fight here?"
Two earth ponies and a unicorn emerged from the group of several civilians.
Swift nodded, saying, "I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, be ready to defend this door." he galloped out into the hallway, just in time to see enemy soldiers coming down the stairs.
with his wings, which he held in front of him like a shield, he was able to repel attacks with the spears relatively easily.

"FIRE ON DECK!" shouted an earth pony when the airship was shaken, "We need extinguishing agents here!"
"Hit aft! Several wounded!"
"We're losing altitude!"
Electric worked hard on the machine and kept it running as well as it could. It only stopped when one of the bridge officers ran into the engine room below.
"You!" He pointed to Electric, "The PA system has failed. You have to start the experimental drive! Otherwise we won't be able to keep the ship in the air for much longer."
"I understand." Electric galloped down the aisle, jumped against a wall to get around the curve faster, and landed in a full gallop near the stairwell. There she jumped one deck down, into another room, and began to power up the EDS. It didn't take long for the energy to arrive where it was needed.
"Come on ... come on ..." she muttered to herself, as with a soft bang all systems jumped around to ready, then norminal. The ship jumped forward and for a moment it felt like they hit the ground, but it wasn't.
They were flying relatively stable and faster than before.
"Done!" Electric exclaimed with joy and relief, "Let's take care of the rest of the ship then."

Swift had taken a couple of hits, but nothing wild. Scratches where spears had come through his defense. These wings proved more and more practical in hoof-to-hoof combat. That just didn't help against the number of foes coming down the stairs. Nor had Swift considered how the others should find the private one and him ..
That had been extremely stupid.
But at Celestia he wouldn't go without a fight.
One of the enemies charged at him. This ran into the wing that Swift extended forward. He lost his spear and was hit hard on the head of Swift with his hoof,
"Buck off!" Swift roared, breathing hard. Adrenaline could only keep him going that long and he knew it.
this time a group of enemies tried. And they didn't run either, but tried to bypass him, which was difficult in this narrow basement. But Swift only had two wings and four hooves. He couldn't be everywhere so at some point he found himself surrounded.

That was the moment when Amethyst, whose wing was now bandaged, broke out of the door and drove one of the spears lying on the ground into one of the opponents. This screamed briefly before he went to the floor.
"Nice to see you on your hooves, private." said Swift.
"I can't let you do it all alone, coporal." said Amethyst, but you could hear that she was afraid.
"Don't worry private. I firmly believe that we can do it. I promised my Marefriend." Swift said with a grim grin and a goal in front of his eyes. Together it was easier to keep the enemy on one side of the hallway, but Swift had to keep fending off a spear that was meant for Amethyst.
At the rate, either or both of them would carry worse injuries.
Fighting noises could be heard from the stairwell.
The soldiers of the Crystal Empire turned around except for the one in front of Swift and Amethyst and began walking back down the stairs.
"This is your last chance to surrender." Swift said with a cheeky grin.
The enemy soldiers said nothing, but charged them one last time.

"Attack!" called a white unicorn with a blue mane. He himself kept up a very impressive shield with his magic and prevented the enemies from getting reinforcements.
"I hope they are here." Night said, while specialists Lucky and Ruby provided first aid.
"Hand me the bandages, please." Lucky said to Ruby.
The mare searched briefly and then passed the bandages on to the stallion and said: "There aren't many left."
"We didn’t expect us to treat the field units either. If I had known, I would have suggested leaving the camping equipment behind."
"I would have been fine with it, then I wouldn't have had to carry it around with me." said the mare with a laugh.
Even if her appearance alone did not suggest that she noticed what and what was not in the big backpack and the saddlebags on her, Ruby was a gem of a mare.
Her partner and the group's doctor, Lucky, was also very savvy and had a lucky hoof with ponies and their wounds.

A little later the civilians, Amethyst and Swift came out of the building and looked at the combat unit in amazement. In the middle stood the rest of the squadron.
"I see you brought everything you could find, Night. Thanks." said Swift, really grateful and supported Amethyst, who had been kicked on one of the front legs during the last attack, "specialist Lucky, please take care of the private."
"to order sir." Lucky said and looked at the wounds of the young mare, "It'll be fine. But it looks like a month's home vacation, maybe two. And a Purple Heart."
Swift smiled when he heard this and went to find the leader of the group.

To his surprise, he found a captain's purple armor in the middle of the perimeter. A white unicorn with a blue mane barked commands.
Swift stood in such a way that he was seen, went into attention position and waited patiently until he was addressed.
"sergeant." said the captain with a nod, "your specialist said that you needed help. We came as soon as we could."
"Thanks sir!" He saluted, "I hereby report: Stormbreaker Squadron is fully operational except for one man. Private Amethyst Fire is incapable of fighting. Civilians in the basement of this building were defended as well as possible. We have a total of 23 civilians, 6 of them injured and two seriously injured. "
The captain nodded, "Good to know. Can the injured walk?"
"No sir."
"I thought so. We'll take a couple of the cabs standing around here for the injured." the captain took a closer look at Swift, then grinned: "I didn't even know that earth ponies could join the air force. I'm impressed."
Swift drew in a sharp breath. The one before him was a Royal Guard captain, not Commander Dash, who understood his suffering.
"Sir, I'm a Pegasus. A mission cost me both wings. But thanks to the two mares Electric Swing and Twilight Sparkle I can fly again."

The captain's eyes widened and he began to shine: "So you know Twily! Ha, the world is so small!" the captain simply pulled Swift to his chest, "I haven't spoken to my little sister anymore. How is she? Is she still in canterlot at the academy?"
Swift was surprised at the suddenly informal tone the captain had used.
"So ... Twilight is on the airship we arrived on." Swift said and rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof, "If I got that right, it put it on the train station after our departure course because it had the order to keep the airspace clean there."
"How was the sergeant?" the captain asked and his grip tightened until Swift could barely breathe
"Sir! Sir please ... Air ...!" Swift waved, then pushed the metal wings apart to free me from the grip, "Sir, please, I can't chance it that we got this order. If it had been up to me the airship would have flown home after we dropped off."
"Is that so, sergeant? Why?" the captain asked with anger in his voice
"Because my Marefriend is on the airship too," said Swift deadpan.
That made the captain pause before he said: "Affiliations within the military ..."
"She is a civilian." Swift said, interupting the captain quit rude.
"Then what is she doing on a military airship?" the captain asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If you ask me?i think, At the moment, she's holding the airship in the air. Usually she repairs my or Commander Dash's wings." replied Swift.
"Ah ... I see ..." said the captain.
"Sir. It's getting late. We should get moving." Swift said and pointed up. In terms of time it wasn't that late, but the tall buildings made it quite dark. "I can send three of my Wing on patrol if you wish, sir."
"Good idea, sergeant. Do it." replied the captain.
Swift saluted and turned to his squadron, shouting: "Specialists Night, Sharp and Arctic. You three go on patrol. A maximum of 2 blocks. Stay together, avoid fighting and report any enemy movement."
"Yes, sir!" said the three and saluted, then started straight away.

It took longer than expected to make enough caps move and it got very dark.
"It's useless, we have to go through the night." said Captain Armor.
Everyone was preparing to spend the night here if necessary and to set up an outpost.
"How are you doing private?" Swift asked Amethyst, one wing of which was still lost, but at least the hobbling had stopped.
"Lucky said I was ... lucky ... with the leg. Just a bruise. But the wing is broken. Sorry sir, that I became such a burden." said Amethyst and hung his head low.
"You are not a burden." Swift said and put his hoof on her shoulder, "You were just unlucky. Be glad that you got to keep your two wings. And now off to bed, soldier, we have a long way to go if we want to cover him on the streets. "

Day 01 in the Manehattan siege ends

on Wings of Steel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Start of the second day of the Manehattan siege

Sergeant Swift Specter rose from a nap he'd taken and stretched. Amethyst was still sound asleep so he didn't want to wake her up.
The poor mare. that was quite a lot for the second combat mission.
He trudged a little through the outpost that had been set up and asked a few of the civilians how they were doing before seeing Captain Shining Armor.
"Sir, is there anything I can help me with?" asked Swift
"Ah Sergeant. Yes indeed, I have a question. Your group members, can I borrow these for the outbreak? It would be really handy to have eyes in the air."
Swift looked at him in confusion, then said, "Sir, we'll be with you all the way back, so yes, my squadron is at your disposal, of course. Except for Private Amethyst and I, everyone else will be in the air."
"Why don't you fly?" the captain asked confused.
"Amethyst is my responsibility. I pull the cart she will be in. I cannot and will not let anyone else do that." he looked at the captain with determination.
"All right, Sergeant." Shining Armor said with a smile, "But how do you give orders to your squadron?"
"Simple. Amethyst can pass it on. So I can concentrate on the road while it gives orders and signals." Swift explained, "I can definitely take a few wounded with me as well."

A little later, the three scouts from the Stormbreaker Squadron came back. Specialist Night saluted Swift, then said: "The enemy is building barricades to the north and west. South and east are relatively free, which is probably because everything in the south is under enemy control and in the east ... well there is the sea . The most direct routes, north and west, are cut off. "
"That's not good ..." said Swift and thought, "You three, come with us, we have to tell the captain."

Electric was lying under a control panel, cursing softly as she tried to fix the electronics and circuits. The airship had docked in a park that had been converted into an FOB by the Royal Guard. In addition to their airship, there were three others in urgent need of repairs
"Oh Buck me! Just work you piece of junk!" came another exclamation of hatred and frustration when Twilight lowered her head so that she could see under the console.
"Are you okay, Electric?" she asked worried.
"No, I'm not. I can't get this fixed, the ship is in a sub-optimal condition and Swift isn't here. I'm worried my flanks off about him. And I can't sleep because of that ..."
"Glad I got you some coffee." Twilight said with a small smile and with the help of her magic handed a mug of coffee to Electric.
She accepted it gratefully and emptied it almost in one go.
"Thanks, I needed that. How is your search for ..." she looked around briefly, but there was no one on the bridge, "for the element present here?"
Twilight sighed heavily and said, "I haven't found a clue yet. Applejack helps me find it, but it's not easy. There are thousands, if not tens of thousands of ponies in the refugee camp, and that same number have already escaped on trains The sphere only moves very slightly in a certain direction and I may walk past the Elementbearer without noticing it. "
"Sounds as frustrating as my work here. We got a lot of damage." Electric said, then looked at twilight. her front hoof was bandaged, just like her forehead, "is everything okay with you?"
Twilight bit her lower lip, then said honestly: "No ... it's not. I've seen ponies die. And not only that, one of the soldiers died to protect me."
Twilight nearly fell off the ship during the battle. The creation of a protective shield had drained her so much that she could not even teleport anymore, and only thanks to a levitation spell of a unicorn guardian she was still alive. But this guard had neglected his own defense as a result and had been hit by several spears. With a last Pull, he had trow Twilight back onto the ship, where she got injured, but this strain killed the Guard in the end.
Twilight trembled at the memory of the sight.

"This is disturbing news." said Captain Shining Armor and looked at a city map on which Specialist Night had drawn lines in red. Noises of battle could be heard in the background as the Crystal Empire again tried to overrun the trapped soldiers.
"Any suggestions?" the captain asked the group of officers, Swift, and the specialist.
Swift cocked his head, then looked at Night, "Would it be easier to get through here and here?"
"Yes, but as I said, it looks like the Crystal Empire is setting up a headquarters here in this little park. And anyone who cannot fly would have to walk a long distance." replied Night, "but it should be doable if we avoid Headquarters and go this way."
"Or." said one of the other soldiers, "We're running right through and creating chaos on our retreat.
"I like the idea." Shining Armor said, "We'll take this route if we can." He pointed out a route that first leads away from the front, then through the enemy headquarters, "We will wreak as much chaos as possible. If possible, we will destroy the HQ, if not, not badly. Then we run along here until there every now and then we break through their lines from behind and make our way to the train station. "
Everyone looked at the captain as if he had one or more screws loose. But nobody said anything.
Except for Swift.
He had already lost his comrades when the commander-in-chief was reckless: "Sir, with all due respect, but that's nuts! We'll never get there."
"My decision is made, sergeant." replied the captain.
"I have spoken to the others. To cover the retreat some of us will have to stay here and stop the enemy." Another soldier said in a low tone, "I've already recruited volunteers. Ten of us and I will stay."
Everyone turned to this soldier looking shocked.
That was a suicide mission.
"Absolutely no way!" Shining Armor said with a firm voice, "You come with us. Nopony is left behind!"
"Our decision is made, sir. We are staying so you all and the civilians can escape." He looked at the captain, "Otherwise it won't work."
There was an oppressive silence over the small group, and no one dared say anything.
"Sergeant ..." began night, but Swift raised his hoof to silence him. after another Minute, Swift said, "Specialist Night. Find Specialist Ruby. She is orderd to bring all the excess spears, food, water and medicine here immediately. We'll leave everything here." He looked up, "and when we have managed to save the civilians we will bring more supplies."
"If we're still alive then." said the soldier with an uncertain smile.
"Oh you will still be. I don't feel like carrying your lifeless bodies from the battlefield." Swift's grin grew dark, "you'll have to walk yourself."
Night glanced back and forth between the others, then saluted and set out to carry out his order.

Twilight walked through the refugee camp for the umpteenth time. The element that had moved here rested in her saddlebag and pressed very lightly against her side. Applejack walked beside her and kept her eyes open too.
It was just frustrating.
Twilight groaned, then said, "Come on AJ, let's get something to eat. I'm starting to think it's impossible."
"Don't give up Twy." Applejack said with a rather amused tone, "Just because it was so easy up to now doesn't mean that it's always like that. After all, we can make ourselves so useful and help."
"When you're talking about helping." said a relatively pleasant sounding voice from behind the two of them, "Would you mind helping with these foals?" both turned to a white unicorn with a dark purple mane.
Twilight was about to say something when she saw Applejack take a step forward, eyes narrowing.
"Rarity is that you?" Applejack asked in surprise.
"Applejack? Oh my goodness, we haven't seen each other for ages!" said Rarity with a smile. There were about eight to ten foals behind her.
"They aren't all yours, are they?" Applejack asked with a slightly mean but well-intentioned grin.
"No not really. But these Fillys lost their parents. Either while they were fleeing or ..." she looked back sadly, then cheerfull again to the other two: "You don't happen to have a few bits over? I would like to buy some food food for the little ones, but I didn't take anything with me when I fled here. "
"oh yes a moment please." Twilight said and was about to look for her bits in her saddlebag when she noticed something. The sphere moved. and that in the direction of rarity.
She couldn't believe it and turned a little, but the sphere kept its direction. even after a full turn.
"Uhm ... are you all right, darling?" asked Rarity.
"Yes ... yes I am. Come with me, lunch is on me!" said Twilight, suddenly in a much better mood.

All preparations were made.
There was only one direction to go. Swift checked the cab one more time and began to grin. in the pastry room he found the cab driver's hat.
Amethyst had taken a seat in the cab from which she could see the Squadron.
Swift threw on the caprunnerhat, walked forward and said in an upscale tone, "Ah what a lovly day for a city trip. Where want you to go, my lady?"
First she looked at him confused, then Amethyst laughed out loud, which brought some to look at the two of them. "To the train station, fine sir. But please take the scenic route."
"As you wish, my lady." Swift said and trotted forward, threw the harness around his body, then trotted off like a normal cab to get to the starting point. As he walked by, he gave the soldiers a polite nod and said to each of them: "what a wonderful day, sir." The laugh spread among the trapped soldiers. Amethyst was already holding her stomach because of the pain fromt the laughing.
That was what everyone needed right now.
Something to distract them from the task ahead.
"Cabrunner, would you slow down a little, please. I want to enjoy the view." said Amethyst in a mock noble tone.

The distraction was not maintained for too long as all the soldiers gathered on the street. There were a few traveling in cabs with injured civilians, children and the elderly. further up was Swift with amethyst. The Squadron at his side.
In fact, Specialist Ruby looked significantly beefier without her backpack and saddlebags. Swift decided never to have a hoofwrestling duel with her.
"okay guys." Swift said, "I'll have my eyes on the street. Give signals to Amethyst, she'll give them to me and vice versa. If it should be quick with the decision, do what you've always done. Think and act independently if necessary. I want no losses today."
"Sir, yes sir!" everyone called in unison.
"Get ready!" called Captain Shining armor from behind Swift.
after much persuasion, he had been made to run in the middle and not, as he wanted, at the front. There he was able to protect the civilians better with his impressive shield spell and was actually faster on the flanks should need help there.
Everypony got ready.
"Start the stampede!"
That was the sign. Swift started moving with everyone else, turned south with everypony else, and they ran.

"Commander, there!" one of the wonderbolts called and pointed south. On the other side of the front, five shapes soared into the sky and flew south, just higher than the buildings.
"Must be enemies." Dash said, "but they are too far into their territory to attack. We also have to find the Stormbreakers!" Dash kept an eye on the front line while the Wonderbolts scanned the sky. In the meantime everything was set up so that enemy airships and pegasie only sporadically could cross the border. However, this was also the other way around. On the ground the fighting was fiercer and everypony was trying to break through.

Swift ran just behind the tip of the spearhead, and panted heavily.
That was more exhausting than expected, but at least he still had the Cabrunner hat. Somehow that was important to him.
"Sir," Amethyst called forward, "Specialist Night reports a blockage, three blocks ahead."
Swift ran to the front: "Blockade, three blocks ahead."
"Understood." said the soldier, panting just as hard.
He swiveled to the left, towards the east, there was no resistance to be seen. So they navigated the city, creating confusion and havoc upon the enemy.

After what felt like running a hundred blocks, the whole group had to slow down, but there was no stopping.
Swift was breathing hard, his legs tired and aching.
"Enemy air units!" a unicorn called, and Swift looked up at his squadron.
"Amethyst, give the order to..." he began at to say but then he saw how all five of them folded their wings, fell in the direction of the ground and not only caught the fall about five meters above the ground, no, they now also flew onto the group of soldiers too, with the enemy pegasia in tow.
"That was impressive!" Swift said honestly, then the soldiers began shooting the enemy pegasi with their spells.
Swift ducked as the Stormbreaker rushed over him, not because of them but because of the spears thrown after them.
He heard Amethyst scream.
He looked up again in panic and was afraid of what he would see when he turned around.
He did it anyway.
Amethyst ... was perfectly okay.
The spears had all missed the mare and were now stuck in the rear wall of the passenger cabin. She had curled up into a relatively small ball in time.
Swift took a deep breath and silently thanked Destiny. Then he also thanked Death for sparing her.

"This is nonsense!" Rarity said as she looked at the necklace she was wearing now. She was on board the airship and couldn't believe what had happened, "you want to tell me that I am some kind of chosen one?"
"Exactly. You're an element of harmony!" Twilight said excitedly.
"It's kind of a joke, right?" she asked again.
"I'm sorry, Rarity, but it's true. I got the confirmation from Princess Celestia in person when I got mine." said Applejack.
"But I'm not a fighter! I sew and make clothes for the troops!" Rarity tossed her hoof in the air, "How could I take on anything more dangerous than a runaway sewing machine?"
"We do not know that, yet." Twilight said, when Electric came into the conference room.
"Oh, as I can see we've found somepony. Hi, I'm ..." She didn't get any further, becouse Rarity literally screamed when she saw Electric.
"Darling, what are you wearing? Such a beautiful mare should wear a dress, and not ... this crime of clothing!"
"but I like my overalls." Electric said and looked down at himself, "They are comfortable and I have saddlebags for my tools.
"Overalls? Plural? I think I'm going to pass out ..." Rarity said and covered her eyes with one of her hooves.
"Yep. That's the Rarity as I remember her." Applejack said, not without a chuckle.

"okay soldiers, our big performance. Assault on enemy headquarters!" Captain Shining Armor called from the center.
"Private, take a spear out of the wall! You will want to defend yourself!"
"Sir, yes sir!" called the private and took a spear, turned it skillfully in their hooves and immediately threw it into one of the positions in front of them.
The guard in it was downright impaled, the second had it not better because Amethyst threw a second spear. the third hit the lock of a gate and opened it.
Swift was impressed and looked at Private in amazement before saying, "That was amazing, Private Amethyst! I can confirm both kills."
Amethyst smiled like a innocence filly on a sunny Day when she said, "Thank you sir."
The whole group stopped in the courtyard of the enemy headquarters and fighting broke out.
Unlike at the front, there were also soldiers of the Crystal Empire without the distinctive helmet.
and prisoners.
"We'll take care of the prisoners!" Swift called to Captain Armor, left the cab and ran to the cells. They used one of the remaining spears to break open the cell doors.
Inside there were soldiers and civilians, none of them looking particularly good. But that could be helped.
"Quick, there are transport carts outside, big enough for several ponies. I only need four that are strong enough to pull them!" Swift said to the former prisoners.
Volunteers were quickly found and the loading of civilians and injured began.

As there was no safe place for the children at the moment, Electric took care of them in the library. Twilight was looking for children's books outside, because that was something their library didn't have on board. When she came back with the books, and some more than expected, she strutted in and proudly announced. "I have several history books, some math books for new school leavers, and best of all, kid-friendly encyclopedias!"
Electric looked at her deadpanned.
"What?" Twilight asked, "I loved these books as a foal!"
Electric still said nothing, closed his eyes and grumbled loudly before she said: "You take care of the children, I'll go get books."
"Me? But ... I have ... wait! You can't ..." Twilight tried to protest, but Electeric was already gone.

"Okay that's it, get out of here! Next destination is west!" shouted Captain shining armor.
The convoy was now much bigger, but the speed had hardly decreased. Swift's legs grew heavier, his breath rattling.
"Sir, if you want, I can do the pulling for a while!" said Amethyst a little worried
"I ... can ... not ... handle the spear ... as well ... as you do." Swift said with a gasp, bowed his head and stormed on, "I can do it!"

It was getting dark when a guard sent a signal in the south.
Yellow smoke.
Commander Dash was nearby, guiding the wonderbolts towards the smoke.
"Ma'am, there are the five fliers again!" called one of the wonderbolts, pointing forward.
Just as Dash was about to say something, a green smoke grenade detached itself from the ground, and another, red one behind the green towards the east.
"They belong to us! And there seem to be even more on the ground!" Commander Dash said and turned to get there
When she got close enough to recognize the five, she immediately recognized the batpony as one of the Stormbreakers.
She flew next to the formation and asked, "Where's the sergeant?"
Specialist Night pointed down and Rainbow Dash could already see the petrol stain and the metal wings from above ...
and a cab that he pulled ...
"Wonderbolts, defend airspace, I'm going down!" Dash called and sank lower to fly alongside the cab.
"Sergeant Swift, have you changed your job?" she asked with a smile, then saw the amethyst sitting injured in the back of the cab, "Everything okay, Private?"
"Yes ma'am. Just a broken wing." Amethyst announced with a salute.
Swift looked up, sweat ran down his face and dripped from his muzzel, "I don't know ... like earth ponies ... can take the running ... all the time ..." The earth ponies in the group of soldiers didn't even seem to notice they pulled something.
But looking around she also saw the purple armor of Captain Shining armor.
"Excuse me a moment, Swift." Dash said and fell back, then saluted the captain.
Two more blocks ... and an enemy barricade.
After all, it wasn't as heavily guarded as the one they had escaped from.

The first soldiers broke through the barricade, then the first carts came with injured and civilians. The cheering on the allied front line was great and a passage was willingly opened.
Swift slowed behind his own line, panted heavily and sat on the floor for the time being.
Nor did he object when a paramedic came to him and gave him something.
Whatever it was, it felt good and his aching legs eased.
He didn't even hear his squadron talking to him, or that Captain Armor came up and praised his squadron.
However, he fell over when the captain patted him on the shoulder.

"Well Swift? How are you?" asked a familiar voice.
Swift looked up and saw that he was facing Death.
"Did I die from overwork?" Swift asked a little uncertainly.
"No, you are not. I just wanted to visit you. And I have a message from Destiny for you." Death smiled his lip-less smile.
"Oh okay ..." Swift said uncertainly, looked at his back - no wings - and asked, "Why don't I have any wings here?"
"You have lost your real wings. That was a loss that even your soul felt. And the metal wings have no soul in them." Death answered his question
"Ah ... makes sense." Swift said, "what's the message from Destiny?"
"She announces that she is proud of you. You are making good progress, but finding the elements of harmony and the bearer is only part of the mission. The elements need to be activated too." said Death, "and she's ready to make a little deal with you. A nice, long life, if you can find and activate the elements. With Electric if you want."
Swift gaspe and couldn't believe his ears.

The unconscious Pegasus, meanwhile, was taken to the ship's infirmary with Electric at his side.
"Will he get well again?" she asked with concern in her voice Fluttershy.
"Oh, I think so. It was just a bit to much strain for a Pegasus with so much weight on his back." Fluttershy replied, then giggled, "maybe he should apply for leave. Or at least see if he can suspend ground battles next time."
Then she turned to Amethyst again and examined her wing

End of day 2 of the Siege of Manehattan.

Author's Note

I forgot to write something about the world in chapter 7 to make it more understandable / logical, so here are two facts.

Fact number one:

The Crystal Empire came as a surprise, so it was difficult at the beginning to slow down the advance. Many villages, towns and communities were simply overrun and the majority of the Equestria army was poorly equipped and even less trained in combat. Few units were well trained and later became elite units, including the Wonderbolts
Due to the loss of all these communities, villages and cities, the Crystal Empire was quickly able to integrate unicorns, earth ponies and pegasias into their ranks in addition to the Crystal ponies. there are also volunteers on the part of the Crystal Empire.

According to dark rumors, injured soldiers of the Equestria Army are brainwashed by the Crystal Empire and forced to fight on their side, but this has not yet been confirmed, nor has it been explicitly refuted.

Fact number two:

The sea invasion of the Crystal Empire was possible due to a failure of the military leadership. Very few have even considered that something like this is possible. When the ships landed with the first enemy troops, the streets were full of civilians. Most of the soldiers now fighting in the city just happened to be in Manehattan to leave, to cure illnesses or to rehabilitate after serious injuries.
According to initial estimates, Manehattan will have to hold out for another 3 days before reinforcements come, which will then weaken the borders in the south with the badlands.
Most of them do not know why soldiers are stationed there.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Day 3 of the siege of Manehattan

"What exactly do you mean?" Swift asked Death in a hoarse voice. He must have misheard him.
"Destiny would promise you and Electric a long and happy life if you keep your end of the bargain. As an incentive. However, I have to point out that if something unsurvivable happens to you or Electric, I'll do my job." replied death and cracked his bones a little before he got up. With a nod of his head he invited Swift to come with him.
Swift followed without a doubt or hesitation.

Electric brought Swift into his cabin with two other Earth ponies. All he needed was rest and sleep, everything else would then fine. Just as Swift was being brought to his bed, Twilight came over, lifted her head into the room and asked, "Hey Electric, are you coming to the library? The girls and I want to get to know Rarity better." she smiled invitingly.
Electric smiled back narrowly, said: "Yes, please. Give me a minute."
She helped Swift out of his uniform so that he was only lying in bed in an undershirt and his uniform pants, then covered him and put a glass of water on his bed.
Twilight watched and also helped with her magic a few times. then both went to the library.

"... and then I decided to put my sewing skills in the service of the army." Rarity just said, "I would much rather make nice clothes, but good and robust clothes for our soldiers seem more important to me right now."
Rainbow picked up a mug of soft cider, toasted Rarity: "And I'm grateful for that. My uniform fits perfectly and has seen and participated in a lot."
"Oh, it's so good to hear a heroine praise me. It makes work a lot easier and more enjoyable." Rarity said, genuinely pleased. Her joy, however, evaporated when Electric and Twilight entered.
"This mare is unbelievably!" she got up and went to Electric, circled the confused mare a few times and then said: "You have such a good physique. And your mane would certainly look fabulous if you would comb and wash it. And what is this make-up supposed to represent? Machine oil? "
"That ... is actually machine oil." Electric said, blushing a bit, "I was still doing repairs when they brought Swift over."
"Swift? Who is that?" Rarity immediately asked curiously, "Your coltfriend? Tell me everything!"

Death walked a little through the dreamscape, followed by Swift.
Everything was rather barren, and reminded of stone deserts or in places of battlefields.
"You should have much happier dreams." said Death, lifting a skull, not unlike his own, "When you're awake you've already seen enough of that."
"I know." was Swift's answer and he stepped next to Death, "But ... I don't know either. Somehow I don't feel good when the dream is beautiful."
Death nodded, then carefully put the skull back: "I see. A part of you longs for it."
"After what?" Swift was a little afraid of the answer.
"A part of your soul wants to keep fighting. Not for the sake of survival, but because you want to see blood, whether yours or that of your opponents. It feels here as if a desire for revenge and feelings of guilt alternate. A part of you wants to revenge for all who have fallen, and another part of you wants to follow those I have already taken. "
Swift couldn't argue with Death. He knew that he felt these things now and then, these wishes.
He closed his eyes and his head felt a little.

"I see," said Rarity after Electric had said everything, "so you are unsure how to behave in the relationship. You don't want to do anything wrong and therefore feel lost when you are with him. What about Swift and his feelings? "
Electric was flushed with embarrassment, but she replied softly, "I think he feels the same way. It's always awkward when we're together."
"I understand." Rarity said, "but if you really want to try, one of you two has to start."
"the beginning? hmm I could try something." Electric said thoughtfully, "Thank you Rarity, maybe ... I'll tell him what I think in the morning or when he wakes up again."

Swift woke up sometime that night. his throat was dry and rough. but he noticed that something was pressing against his side. When he looked he could see Electric, who had snuggled up against him under his wing and was sleeping soundly, but also looking a little worried.
then ... to his surprise ...
on the other side, something pressed against him as well.
Carefully he raised the wing and looked underneath. Among them were two foals and a filly, but in the dark he couldn't make out any further details. His eyes widened when he felt that he was becoming downright disoriented.
Where was he actually? He still remembered the race out of the enemys territory and that he had managed to hold out to his own front ...
but after that everything was first blurry, then black.
He could still remember the dream and ...
"You're awake?" he heard Electric ask softly.
"Mhm," replied Swift, looking at her. only now did he notice that she also had a foal with her.
She noticed his questioning look and said, blushing slightly, "It's not ours, don't worry. Rarity and the others just asked me to take care of the little ones ... And your next question is why I'm here and not in my cabin. .. that was hit during the battle. Isn't exactly pleasant to open the door and then only see a hole. "
"Ah ..." said Swift with a scratchy throat. "How long did I sleep?"
"just over nine hours." Electric said, then handed him the glass.
Swift nodded gratefully and drank.
"What about those who stayed behind?" he then asked, whereupon Electric looked away.
Swift knew what that meant, but he needed to hear it too, so he put his forehead against the back of her head and whispered, "please. Tell me."
Electric just nodded, let out a quiet breath and said: "Your squadron has flown without you and wanted to help, but when they arrived they discovered that they were all dead. They pulled themselves back on the roof and were killed before they gave a signal. Night collected the dog tags and everything personal and brought that back. "
Swift wanted to swear loudly, but the sleeping foals and Filly prevented it. instead, he pressed his face into the pillow and damned his failure.

The next morning was tough. Swift had sore muscles in all four legs and he was moving very slowly across the canteen. In addition, the children pestered him with questions about his wings, they wanted to know everything about him, and they wanted to look at the airship. Swift drank two cups of coffee before joining his squadron with a third cup.
"Good to have you back, sergeant." says Sharp with a mall smile.
"You don't look well sir, you should rest a while." was Artic's comment
"It's okay." Swift said, "The advantage of being a Pegasus is that you only need your legs to hold spears. How is Amethyst? And where is Night?"
"Amethyst is still in the infirmary. Her wing is broken, but it's nothing dramatic. A month or two of r&r and she's back. Night went to bed five minutes before you got in here. He's been on patrol all night. "
Swift nodded and went to breakfast when a hoof settled on his shoulder. With a look over his shoulder he saw that it was Captain Shining armor, just not in his armor, this time in his uniform.
"Good to see you back on your Hooves, Sergeant." he said. Swift noticed that Twilight was quite close and beaming wide.
Swift saluted, but jumping up wasn't an option. His legs were too sore.
"I wish my hooves were mechanical too ... at least for now." Swift said with a small smile.
"That was very good work. Your squadron has proven to be very competent." said Shining Armor.
"Thank you sir. I'll have my report ready tonight." said Swift.

After breakfast Swift wanted to relax in the library and organize his thoughts, but the foals and Fillys on board didn't make it easy. Twilight was so happy when Swift came in.
"Oh, Celestia, thank you, please take care of the little ones, I want to have breakfast too, and then I have to go for little mares!" Before Swift could say anything, Twilight was gone.
"Okaaaaaay ..." said Swift and looked at the little ones who looked back at him, "Shall I read you a story?"
"Why did you paint Celestia on the inside of your wings?" asked the Filly, a little unicorn mare.
"Ah ... I did that so that you can see it while flying. And when I hold my wings in front of me," he held the wings like a shield in front of him, "Nothing can happen to the drawing, and the ponies behind me can see them too. " When he lowered the wings again there were more children. Confused, he pulled his head back and looked at the door in surprise. Rarity was there and said with a sheepish look: "The little ones wanted to go to the library. Can you take care of them for a moment?"
"Not alone." he confessed, "I only have two eyes, four hooves and if the alarm goes off I would have to leave the little ones alone."
"Ah yes. I'll be back in a minute. Should I bring something from the kiosk?" said Rarity.
"If there is a soda, one please. If not then not." Swift said then looked at the Fillys and foals. they talked wildly, but Rarity managed to make a list of all ther wishes and then left.

When she came back a little later, Rarity also had Twilight with her and the two kept talking. Swift wasn't sure what it was about, but he heard Electrics name a time or two.
"well finally." he said when the two mares came in, "Twilight, why do you have so few foalbooks? It was really hard to find something that the fillys like."
"I know, I know ... If I had known that we were opening a daycare, I would certainly have taken more books with me." Twilight said with a groan, but then smiled, "Swift, you should go to your cabin. We'll take over the Fillys now. And don't worry, Applejack and Fluttershy will help us soon."
Swift raised an eyebrow, but then left. He was happy to be out before the real work began.

On the way to his cabin he met Amethyst and asked briefly how she was doing.
"Being grounded is annoying." she said, then blushed with shame, "oh, sorry sergeant. I didn't mean to appear disrespectful."
Swift sighed softly, then said: "It's okay, Private. I've got used to it. And hey, at least I can fly again. With you it only takes a few weeks and you can keep your real wings."
The young private nodded: "and I am very grateful for that."
"You should. Carry on, soldier." Swift saluted her, but as he left he stopped her again: "Oh, before I forget: I was thinking of proposing you for training as a gunner. The precision with which you threw the spears was really impressive."
"Thanks sir!" she saluted again with a big smile and trotted off, clearly happier.

Electric nervously waited for Swift in his cabin. She had let Rarity persuade her to change her outfit and was slowly not sure anymore. Instead of the normal overalls for her, she wore a simple dress, the hair was combed and she was generally dressed up, and she didn't want to think about what Rarity had suggested to wear underneath.
And she was nervous.
very very nervous.
Just as she decided to call it off, the door opened and Swift stood in it.
His eyes widened when he saw her and his jaw dropped open.
"Hi." Electric came shyly and she tried to appear a little more composed, but she failed.
"Hey ..." was Swift's reply when he finally could answer, "What ... what kind of clothes are you wearing? That's not you at all, Electric."
That hurt Electric a bit, but she didn't show it when she replied: "Well, I wanted to make myself pretty for you. Rarity meant that ..."
Swift laughed softly, came up to her and stood in front of her, closed his eyes briefly and leaned his forehead against hers, then breathed softly: "Are you dissatisfied with me?"
"No!" she said directly and stepped back, "How do you get that?"
"Well, it feels like you want to tell me something. I don't know, I've never been in a relationship. But usually when a mare dresses up that much, it's because something is wrong. At least that's always been the case in books I've read. " Swift said and laughed softly: "You look so surprised. Don't you believe me that you are my first marefriend?"
"I ... didn't expect it." Electric said honestly, "You're also my first coltfriend. I wasn't sure what to do and was afraid that it wouldn't work out between us. But I really love you!"
Swift closed the distance between himself and Electric again, looked into her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, but I was just as insecure as you are as it seems. Maybe I should have seen this before, but now that I was it knows how about that: we both look where it all takes us. Personally, I just didn't want to be too pushy. "
"You're not." Electric said a little more confidently and cuddled up to him.
Swift closed his eyes for a moment, then began to grin mischievously as he pulled back and simply kissed her.
That was very surprising to Electric and her eyes widened before she closed them and enjoyed the kiss.
Except for small kisses on the cheek, that was the first real kiss.
And electrics in general.
She melted and leaned against him.

Swift couldn't believe it. All the time he was scared of doing something wrong and that was exactly that.
He had done it wrong.
and now he kissed Electric.
And as her name suggested, a gentle shiver went through his body like electricity.
It took a while until he broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. She looked at him dreamily. There was no longer any doubt for either of them.
"I'll end this war," he breathed softly, "For you. So that we can both have a nice, quiet life. You are the wind under my wings and the compass that guides me."
Electric sighed softly, then just as softly said, "And I'll always be with you, Swift. For you I'll give everything and more."
Both wanted to kiss again when there was a little knock on the door and you could hear a whisper.
both looked at the door.
"not so loud, you can still hear us!" said a voice that sounded a lot like Rainbow Dash.
"So-Sorry." Another voice said, clearly Applejack, "but I also want to hear whether Rarity's plan worked."
"of course he did." Rarity said convinced, "You just heard them both."
"We shouldn't do that." said Fluttershy.
Swift sighed softly and looked questioningly at Electric, but Electric turned deep red with shame.
That was the disadvantage of living on an airship. The walls were thin and there was no privacy.

Instead of announcing that the two of them heard the other, Swift simply decided to open the door. Five mares stumbled in and looked up apologetically.
"really?" Swift said, "You guys want to help us get together and then RUIN the moment? And who's taking care of the little ones?"
Twilight was the first to get back on track and said: "The little ones are in the library and Sharp and Artic take care of them. And we just wanted to know if it really worked!"
"Great. You were so loud that you ruined my whole beautiful plan." Rarity said when she got up again, "otherwise you would have seen that nobody can compete with me when it comes to romance."
It was Applejack's turn: "oh yeah? You were the loudest of us all! Your horn hit the door!"
Fluttershy didn't say anything, just got up.
Swift just deadpanned the five.
"Sergeant, one word." said Rainbow and pushed the other four out, then closed the door, "Firstly, I'm sorry that I listened, and secondly." She put her hoof on his shoulder, "Don't hesitate too long. Electric is a beautiful mare and you two really love each other. Who knows how long we have left." with these words she went and closed the door behind her, shooing the others away.

"She is right." Swift said then, turning around, but before he could continue speaking he saw Electric lay down on the bed and hid under the pillow.
"That was so embarrassing." she said muffled.
"Yes it was, but there is also its good." replied Swift, then kissed her neck gently, "I now know how your lips taste. And that encourages me more to come back to you after every mission."
Electric sighed softly at the kiss, then turned and came out from under the pillow. her cheeks were flushed when she noticed he was sitting over her.
Part of her wanted it so much.
another thought it was too quick.
Her hoof passed over his chest, then to the back of his neck. She pulled him down for another, deeper kiss.
Swift loved to let this happen.

But Swift stopped suddenly and said in a low tone, "We don't have to do this now."
"I know." Electric said and opened his top, "But I want to sew. Shall we cuddle a little?"
Swift checked his watch, then smiled, "Okay, I'll have a few more hours until my late shift."
He helped her take off his uniform top and was amazed when Electric turned her back to him and asked softly: "Will you help me please?"
With a trembling hoof, he opened a zipper and helped her out of her dress. At that moment his heart almost stopped, and he looked away, said very softly: "Oh Celestia ..."
Electric wrapped himself in the blanket and lay down, and Swift lay down with her. he put his hooves around her and she pressed her back to his chest.
Swift was in heaven. he was pretty sure about it.

Much to the regret of both, Swift had to take off again a few hours later and leave the front. It had actually moved a few blocks towards the train station and more of the city was under enemy control.
Fortunately for the Stormbreaker Squadron, it was relatively quiet that evening.
"Specialist Night." Swift said during the flight, "By the way, I suggested you for a promotion. I think corporal would be an appropriate rank. Your performance during the retreat was impressive and the squadron trusts you."
"Thanks, sergeant, I won't let you down." said Night, and tried to look neutral, but the joy was written in his eyes.

End of the third day of the siege of Manehatten

Author's Note

Battle of manehatten:

While there are always minor battles in the streets, the Equestrian Marine airships try to prevent enemy reinforcements by sea, with moderate success. At the same time, several thousand ponies are being brought out of the city by train every day to be on the safe side, but there are increasing reports of saboteurs trying to destroy the railway line, which means that the few defensive forces are further weakened.
The reinforcements from the south, however, take longer than expected to get to Manehattan.
New calculations say that the siege ring around the enemy armed forces can no longer be held at the end of the week and that there will be worse fighting if reinforcements do not arrive soon or the enemy runs out of reinforcements.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Day four of the Siege of Manehattan

Noon, and the Stormbreakers were back on patrol. They took off just as the wonderbolts came back. They looked very tired, Swift noticed. They were all. For four days they had been on the alert almost continuously. It was a pain in the flank, but most of the refugees had already been evacuated by train, which was a great relief.
The repairs on the airship were now almost complete, only the situation of the Fillys and Foals that Rarity had brought with them had not improved, as the parents of the little ones could not be found.
And the reinforcement wasn't there either. On that day, too, the front had moved further in the direction of the train station.
"sergeant ..." it was Ruby's voice.
"yes specialist?" Swift asked, keeping his eyes on the ground looking for enemies.
"Do you think we can hold manehattan?" the question was asked rather hesitantly. Something Swift didn't even know about Ruby.
"I have doubts." Confessed Swift, "We're getting weaker every day."
Ruby nodded and fell back into formation.

It was quiet the first time the patrol started, and Swift decided to stop near the front. They flew to one of the tallest skyscrapers and set up a small camp there. Swift scanned the horizon with his binoculars while the others paused. He could go to rest in 15 minutes and Night would ...
What was that?
Swift quickly pointed his binoculars back at something he had seen.
"Contact. Enemy airships." he said, "They're getting closer ... quick, clear the camp."
The enemy airships flew in a large V formation, heading straight for the city.
That was ... unusual. Swift fired a red smoke grenade at the enemy in accordance with regulations, although that did reveal where his squadron was.

The alarm within the base went off when Electric was walking back to the ship with a basket full of candy. The ponies had been very generous.
But now chaos broke out and loudspeaker announcements announced: "Enemy airships approaching. All pegasy squadrons have orders to defend the area. This is no drill, I'll repeat, This is no drill!"
Electric almost dropped the basket as she ran towards the airship. The soldiers were already loosening the ropes, just in case.
One of the Sailors hold a gangway for Electric and waved her over.
"Thank you very much." she said while galloping past hin and up the gangway.
"Never mind." said the soldier, there was a loud bang on the horizon.
When Electric looked she could see a cloud of fire rising from the city, right there where the enemy airships could already be seen.

"What was that?" Swift asked as he returned to a stable flight. The force of the explosion had thrown him off course.
"That was a bomb!" Sharp said, shocked.
"pretty big bombs." added Arctic, pointing to the buildings that had just collapsed.
They would surely bury and kill allied soldiers who survived the explosion.
"Damn ..." said Swift and bit his lip, "They want to go to the train station! We have to stop them! Night, get Sharp, Lucky and Ruby, you four are flying ahead and trying to stop everything that escapes Arctic and me .. Arctic, we both go on airship hunting. I need you as a wing pony. We'll meet again at the Front or at the airship in an hour at the latest."
"Yes Sir!" it came out as one voice, and Swift's chest swelled with pride.
"Stormbreaker! Attack! FOR EQUESTRIA!"
"FOR EQUESTRIA!"

There was panic in the base when it became clear what the mission of the enemy airships was. The ponies panicked and tried to get to the last trains that were still in the depot. More would certainly not come. Some also tried to storm the military bases and get a place on the airships.
The soldiers had to fend off the civilians, which in turn meant that fewer soldiers could fight at the front.
And this just collapsed. First around the bomb attack, then spreading out from there until the entire front line was open and the enemy streamed in all directions.
Another explosion, closer to the train station, followed closely by another.
"The train is hit!" a soldier called out and rescue teams began to spread out to help survivors.
"But that wasn't an airship. It was sabotage!" Shining Armor said still on the airship, "get ready to take off!"

Swift and Arctic tried repeatedly to attack the airships, but the defensive fire was unusually strong. It was almost impossible and the two were more occupied with dodging than attacking.
"Sir, I don't think that's what will." said Arctic, dived under a real wall of spears.
"I know, specialist, the chances are against us." Swift said, "one more try and we'll fly back."
Swift quickly turned sideways and on his own axis. dived and aimed his nose precisely at the enemy airship that was closest. Then he tore his wings and felt spears bounce off.
He wouldn't turn away.
He had to give the base enough time for his airship to take off with Electric on board.
Swift closed his eyes. It grew quiet around her. He heard the wind around him, he felt spears crash into his wings, but they did little more damage than dents and cracks. Then, when he opened his eyes, he was almost on the deck of the enemy ship. He spread his wings wide, crashing with them into a couple of the guards on board.
he became the priority target.
That gave Artic enough time to cut with a spear cord and ropes and so make the lollipop half fall. It swung around, everyone on board who was not tied up, could fly or was otherwise unsecured, fleeing a certain death.
Even more, the momentum was enough to let the airship crash into the neighboring airship and cause degenerate damage there.
Swift was about to take over the third airship and was approaching the middle one, the one with the bombs, when a spell in the air caught and stopped him.

Electric watched two of the enemy airships crash from their position and cheered with the other soldiers and sailors. In the meantime the airship was taking off, but loaded to almost the maximum. And there were still civilians and soldiers on the ground, who now had to flee on hoof. The first enemy soldiers were also seen, and fighting broke out between the soldiers of Equestria and the Crystal Empire.
The Wonderbolts had just started again and began to fly CAS missions, throwing their spears, flying close to the airship, picking up new spears and repeating the process as often as possible.
Twilight appeared next to Electric and looked at the battle with terrified eyes.
"We're losing ..." she said breathlessly, "We're losing Manehattan! It's so terrible!"
"Yes, that's right. But we held out long enough to save many ponies." Electric replied, her voice low and a little uncertain.

Swift fought the magic that was holding him, tried to free himself, but the grip was too strong. And suddenly he was thrown onto the deck of the enemy airship in the middle, hit so hard there that it pushed the air out of his lungs.
"Look at you. An earth pony with wings. Is the sun princess that desperate yet?" a female voice asked condescendingly.
Swift turned back and held his chest with his front legs, looking up weakly at a catwalk where a unicorn mare was walking. Her uniform was midnight black, her badges of rank shiny silver, a few gold ones.
Her man was relatively long for an officer, and fiery red, which was in stark contrast to the cool ice blue of her coat. And her eyes ... Acid green they kept Swift in view as she stepped down the stairs. "I have to admit, the first time I heard reports about pegasy with metal wings, I didn't believe them. Now I see one thing in front of me and still don't quite believe it." She walked leisurely around Swift, inspected him, kicked his wings, "That must be quite a weight."
"Enough to kill soldiers ..." Swift gasped, trying to get up, only to get the blunt end of a spear that was struck in the head.
The officer of the Crystal Empire raised her hoof to stop it.
"Please, let him get up." she said, even helped him up with the help of her magic, "after all, we're not barbarians."
"Yes, you are only the enemy who burns down our cities and enslaves us." Swift said and looked around. There were many guards here and he was in their midst. Spears were aimed at him and horns glowed ready to burn him.
"I am not a slave." said the officer, "I went to my king voluntarily and worked my way up. By the way, I'm Amber Gem. Commander of our king's seventh attack fleet."
"is noted." said Swift.
Amber Gem waited a moment, then cleared her throat: "It would only be polite to give your name as well."
"Yes it would be." Swift said but remained silent.
"Ah ... I see ..." Amber looked down at him, her horn starting to glow and her magic gripping Swift, starting to squeeze him tight like a boa.

Arctic had seized the chance that had wreaked havoc and hid under the enemy flagship. down here he would not be seen so quickly and he could climb up on a loose rope, out of sight of the guards and the other ships. When he looked over the railing, he could see his sergeant lying on the floor panting, his teeth clenched so as not to scream.
"You just have to tell me your name." said an officer of the Crystal Empire, "It's very simple. Open your mouth, say your name and I'll stop doing this immediately." she pressed harder, Arctic could hear a creak. No matter what it was, it was bad enough that it made Swift scream.
"You don't have to suffer. Just say your name!" the officer grew impatient.
Another creak, another scream.
Arctic couldn't watch, but he couldn't do anything on his own. He needed a distraction.
And he found them in the form of bombs on board. There weren't many there anymore, but the hatch was still open wide enough for him to slip in. He quickly found the guard overlooking the bombay and killed him quickly and efficiently.
Now for the distraction.
And what better distraction than a fire?

"Tell me your name!" Amber snorted angrily, "I've never seen anything so stubborn!"
Swift was lying on the floor, panting, coughing blood. His lungs felt squeezed, at least two of his ribs were broken.
"M-my name ..." he gasped weakly, ready to give up.
The pressure stopped and Swift took a deep breath, and coughed, coughed some blood.
Amber came closer and put her ear upright, asked: "Yes?"
"M-my name ... is ..." Swift's vision slowly darkened.
"Yes?" Amber again, this time a little more impatient.
"S-sw-Swift ... Spe ..." just then there was a loud explosion and the airship overturned slightly.
Everypony was caught off guard and Amber tripped but did not fall. Swift, on the other hoof, slid across the deck, the weight of his wings enough to break through the railing.
It was difficult to stay conscious, but he managed to straighten himself, straighten the wings and even go into glidingmode.
"sergeant!" a familiar voice called out and it brought something back to Swift, "Sergeant, are you okay?" He could see Arctic flying under him, looking up at him.
"No ... no, I'm not fine ..." said Swift weakly, "please ... lead me to the ship. I can no longer ... I can no longer fly straight out alone. I want to Electric ... "
Artic flew a little closer so Swift's hoof touched his shoulder: "Don't worry, sir, I'll take you home. Just hold on."

Electric could see the Stormbreaker coming back.
one.
two.
three and four.
"Where's Artic and Swift?" she asked Sharp with great concern.
"They attacked the airships and were about to come back." said Sharp and also looked back at the battlefield. The fog, the smoke and in general the fire in the city made it difficult to see what was going on.
Night held up his binoculars to Electric and pointed out the formation of the enemy airships. "It would have to come from that direction. Just look up and down, maybe you decide to fly high or you have to fly in the cover of the building."
Electric nodded and looked.
What Electric noticed after a while was that the enemy flagship had caught fire.
Was that Swift's work?
She continued to look through the binoculars.
And then, indeed, she could make out two pegasi, and one of them had metal wings.
"There they are! They are coming back!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
The Wonderbolts also flew in from the direction and began to fly escorts for the two of them.
Then Electric saw something that made her heart heavy.
Two took Swift under his arms and helped him fly, his wings not flapping.
on closer approach it became clear that Swift had lost consciousness.
"No ..." said Electric worriedly, then called: "A paramedic! We need paramedics here immediately! And call for Fluttershy!"
one could hear her concern
And then the Wonderbolts landed with swift between them ...

After four days, the city of Manehattan fell. tens of thousands of civilians and thousands of soldiers died or were taken prisoner. The reinforcements that were to be dispatched to Manehattan were never dispatched.
They never got a message.
now there are dozens of civilians on hospital ships and the airship on which the elements of harmony are on.
They are one of the last to get out of town

Author's Note

Armament of airships:

The main armament of airships are crossbows, spears and the magic of unicorns. The latter are also divided up to defend the airship, as armor plates are seen as dead weight.
There were early attempts to use cannons from ships on airships, but the weight of a cannon, the gunpowder and the ammunition exceeded the carrying capacity of most airships, the reloading time and the crewing effort were enormous, which is why a decision was made in favor of spears and crossbows.
There are a few exceptions, and primarily small airships have cannons on board, which is usually easy to recognize by the additional floats which make them the first choice targets.
Bombs in the other hand are popular weapons for airship captains with pure combat ships, as they are both effective and spread terror among the enemy

on Wings of Steel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Swift woke up with a grunt. He felt terrible and could barely breathe.
"Good morning, sergeant." came a familiar voice from his left.
"Private. Is it you?" he asked weakly.
"Yes sir." said Amethyst, "Welcome to my little room."
"Ah ... the infirmary ..." Swift said and tried to sit up, but then grabbed his chest and grunted again.
"Yeeez, Sergeant, one day I'm not there and you're badly injured?" Amethyst asked in a friendly tone.
Swift laughed briefly, then took a sharp breath and uttered a small "ow", "please don't make me laugh Amy ..." he lay back weakly.
"Amy? Is that my callsign or my nickname now?" she asked smiling, then saw that Swift was really bad, "Uh, everything alright, sir? should I alert the nurse?"
"No not necessary, thanks ... where is Electric?" he began to tremble a little.
What if she didn't make it?
"Take a look at your side." Amethyst said softly.
When Swift looked up he could see the sleeping figure from Electric lying on the wing.
Swift felt at ease and gently touched her shoulder.

Electric startled, looked at him with big, teary eyes, said softly: "Swift! You're awake again!"
"Yes, I am awake. What is your name?" Swift asked with a weak smile.
She gave him a playful slap on the shoulder, which made Swift wince in pain.
"Oh sorry ..." Electric said, embarrassed, then leaned over him to look into his eyes.
"Never mind, I deserve it. I'm sorry that you had to worry about me." said Swift
"What exactly happened? Arctic couldn't tell exactly what happened. If you're feeling better we need an answer to that question." she caressed his forehead, "but as I said, only when you feel better. One or two ribs are broken, you have bruises in the chest area and a few veins in your lungs seem to have broken, which is why you spit blood."
Swift thought, then his eyes went wide and he almost jumped up, only the pain and electric on his wing holding him back when he said. "I need to speak to Captain Armor and Commander Dash immediately!" he looked at her, "it's urgent! bring them both here!"
Electric was a bit shocked, but she could see in his eyes that he was downright scared.
"o-okay ... immediately ..." she said and galloped off.
"What's wrong sir?" Amethyst asked worriedly.
"We have a very strong opponent ..." replied Swift

"and she just pulled you out of the air with her magic?" Commander Dash asked a little uncertainly, "That shouldn't actually be possible because of the enchants in our armor."
"Exactly. That can't be." Shining Armor said, "If that's the case, our air superiority is at risk."
"Well ..." said Twilight, who had also gone into the room to help Electric examine Swift's wings, "with enough strength it is possible to break or bypass any enchantment. I could examine Swift's armor if necessary, BBBFF. "
Swift, Dash and Electric looked at each other questioningly, but then ignored it as Shining Armor cleared his throat, then said: "Yes, that would be helpful. After all, you're the one with the most experience in magic. But there is time. First of all It's back to Canterlor. The hospital ships need escorts, even if we are overloaded with civilians ourselves. "
"If this Amber Gem is really that strong at magic, then we should look for countermeasures." Dash said and she and Captain Armor left the small room while talking.
"Everything is fine with the wings." Electric said very quietly.
"You don't have to pretend .." Swift said back just as softly, taking her hoof in his, "I'm glad you're here. Thank you."
"Swift ... you could have died!" Electric said and the tears began to flow, "Why didn't you just tell her your name? What's so bad about that?"
"It would have been weak." said Amethyst, who was also still in the room, "We soldiers don't want to be weak in front of the enemy if it can be avoided."
"This is stupid!" Electric said angrily, "What's weak about that?"
Swift pulled her down to him, looked deeply in her eyes, not accusatory, not angry, but full of worry and love: "If we show our enemies weakness, they will attack us more often. They will hit us harder and we will fail. Everypony has to be ready to endure pain. And death is always a possibility, we Soldiers don't fool ourself. " He kissed her gently on the lips, "But I have to be strong to protect those who matter to me, those who I ... I ..." he couldn't tell. something in him told him that otherwise it would only end in tears and Pain.
He didn't have to say it either, Electric pressed her lips to his again and continued kissing him, deeper this time.

On the way several other airships met the small convoy of hospital ships and the airship on which the elements of harmony were. As it turned out, after the invasion of the enemy in Manehattan, the entire front had collapsed in the east and had moved several kilometers in favor of the Crystal Empire.

The journey back would take longer as many of the ships that joined the convoy were damaged, others overloaded with injured and refugees. One of the ships burned for days before being abandoned.
Swift was on deck looking at this unconventional fleet, bandages wrapped around his chest.
"Painkillers are nice." Night said from behind him and joined him, the brand new badge of rank pawed on his shoulder.
"You're right, corporal. I wish I had a few. But I refused. I can still fly so I'll be on standby. Should it come to the extreme." replied Swift, lifting his hoof up, "Congratulations on the promotion by the way. It has its advantages when a captain of the Royal Guard is on board. Then it goes quite quickly."
"Yes. But I think it only happened so quickly so that I could officially lead the squadron." Night smiled slightly, "But that also means that the night shift is no longer applicable for me. I have to be awake with the others."
"Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, corporal ... everything ..." replied Swift.

a few days later the airships were at Canterlor, but in order not to break morale in the city all ships were diverted to a nearby airfield and unloaded there. Swift was taken to one of Canterlot's hospitals with other injured soldiers, but it was quickly decided that there was no room for anyone like him. His wound could not be treated any further except for painkillers and others needed more attention. Private Amethyst was also expelled from hospital to save space.
"So then." said Swift and pulled his duffel bag into a more comfortable position on his back, "we both have a month or two of R&R ..."
"Yes, sir. Do you already know where you are staying?" Amethyst asked with a smile.
"Oh yes. Since my apartment in Cloudsdale is accompanied by a lot of flying and pain, Electric has offered me that I can stay in her apartment." replied Swift, smiling, "how about you, Amy?"
Amethyst beamed broadly when she replied: "I am also staying with my special somepony. She will certainly be very excited."
Swift looked at Amethyst, then smiled, "Oh I see. Well where the love goes, right?"
Amethyst nodded with a broad smile, then gave Swift another quick salute and then happily trotted over to a unicorn mare to cuddle up to her.
Swift smiled slightly, trotted off himself, then winced in pain. He had to take it slower.

about ten meters further he heard a voice behind him: "Swift!" When he turned around he could see Electric breaking through the crowds, apologizing in all directions.
Swift was afraid Electric would fall around his neck and already slit his eyes in preparation for the pain
Electric knew about it and stopped in front of him, but giggled.
"Excuse me." Swift said, blushing slightly, "But it looked like you were about to fall around my neck and hug me."
"Silly Filly." Electric said, "I'll give you a hug, but not so stormy."
She put her head to his chest and closed her eyes, "I don't want to hurt you."
Swift looked at her, smiled, then closed his eyes and enjoyed her closeness.

Electric led Swift back to her apartment, only this time he was allowed to enter freely.
"Please excuse the mess here. I ... didn't come to clean up before we left." Electric said apologetically.
Swift laughed, leaned against her and said, "I forgot how we met us. All I saw was a field of rubble, not unlike a battlefield in the laboratory, and your plot stretched wide in the air."
Electric flushed a little when she remembered.
Swift put his duffel bag next to the sofa and sat on it, giving a loud sigh of relief when he could just close his eyes.
Not long after that, he could feel Electric sit down beside him and gently rest her head on his shoulder, sighing.

When he woke up, Swift was in an unknown place and it was dark. When he looked back he could see that he had no wings.
well he seemed to be dreaming.
But this dream landscape was completely unknown to him. It looked like he imagined Tarterus.
Lakes of fire, mountains that spat magmar, a sky in flames, a blood-red moon ...
And a dark one in front of him, with leather-like wings similar to Corporal Night, but also with a long horn like Celestia, and almost as big. He remembered having dreamed of this gestallt before, but this time it was different. It felt like talking to Death for a few days.
Very real.
"Who are you?" he asked after drawing up all his courage.
"I," replied the figure, "am Nightmare Moon. Kneel down, for I am the Queen of Eternal Night."
Swift's legs shook a little but he stood.
"Do you dare to face me?" Nightmare Moon asked, walking towards him. She seemed to get bigger.
When the nightmare came before him, he had to look up and she looked down at him with her head held high. "You are worthless, and yet ..." she turned her head and looked at him directly, "I feel that there is something about you that can be dangerous to me and my revenge."
Swift thought and remembered something, then said, more confidently than before, "Your sister Destiny has put me on a path that can defeat you and save Princess Luna."
Nightmare Moon looked at him in surprise, then laughed an unnatural laugh that seemed to come from all directions before dissolving into black mist. "So that is the reason why I have felt more and more influence from my sister for some time." the fog enveloped Swift completely, "I can tell you that you are in a losing position, little pony. Destiny may decide a fate, but she also works against herself and the fate she decides for others. Who says your fate worth more than someone else's? what if your story ends tomorrow? "
Swift could feel something touch his legs, how thousands of spiders climbed it, but he didn't move.

"You are in my dream, you can't do anything to me!" Swift roared in protest, "When I wake up your threats are nothing but a bad memory and I will continue to walk my path that Destiny showed me!"
That laugh again, this time louder, as if it were in his ear, "Oh you are cute. If you are still alive when I return I'll keep you as my pet."
That's it, swift hit the fog, "Leave me alone, you monster!"
The laughter didn't stop and the pain spread in his chest. He was still hurt.
"oh you poor little pony, are you in pain?" the nightmare asked in a moking tone, "here let me help you!" the mist spiked and rammed into Swift's chest.
This pushed all the air out of his lungs and he could no longer breathe.
"I may not be able to cause you any physical damage ..." said Nightare Moon, again as Alicorn standing in front of him, "But your spirit is unprotected for me. Do not forget that."
Swift grabbed his throat, still unable to breathe.

"Swift?"
was that electric?
"Swift what is it?"
Yes she was. She sounded like she was somewhere completely different and was calling for him from a great distance. His eyes went black.
"SWIFT!"

with a loud gasp, Swift woke up and took a deep breath.
He tried to jump up and orient himself, but the jumping up sent a wave of pain through his body and he hit the floor. It was dark, someone ... something ... reached out for him and he hit it.
"Ouch!" Electrics' voice tore him out of his panic.
"Electric?" he asked breathlessly, "what? where?"
Electric held her cheek and looked at him worriedly.
"Oh Celestia, I hit you! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" In shock, Swift hugged her tightly, even though his chest screamed and the bones felt like they were moving.
"Swift, watch out!" she pushed him away, "You only hurt yourself even more! Everything is fine, you just had a nightmare!"
She was scared. Swift had sounded like he was talking to someone while he slept. Then he started to fight and all attempts by Electric to wake him up had failed.
And then he stopped breathing.
She was so worried about him.
"I'm so sorry, Electric ..." repeated Swift with tears in his eyes, "so very sorry."
"Ssssh, it's okay." Electric said and held him closer again, this time more gently so as not to hurt him, "Everything is fine. It was just a nightmare."
"no ... no it wasn't." Swift said, sniffing and looking at her, "That was a warning. I need to talk to Princess Celestia."

early in the morning Swift and Electric made their way to the palace. After inquiring at the gates, both were invited in and escorted into the throne room.
"Sergeant Swift Specter,Engineer Electric Swing." said the princess and nodded to both of them, "What brings you to me so early?"
Swift looked around, looked at the guards before speaking, "My mission, your highness." he bowed, but winced in pain.
"Get up, sergeant. You are hurt and I should release you from your duty to bow to me until you are healed."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Swift said, nodding his head in gratitude
"You said that your mission brought you here. Follow me." Celestia got up and walked over to them, then past them.
"I'll be back later. All day court visitors should be advised of a later date." said princess Celestia as she walked out of a side entrance that was invisible, as long as the door was not pointed out.
"Yes your Highness." A guard called and saluted.

Swift followed the princess and felt how electric gently pressed against him as he walked. She seemed to be a little worried. Then on a long corridor the princess turned left laughing and opened a door with her magic, and let the two enter.
"Welcome to my private rooms." said the princess. It was a very nicely decorated room with a lot of space and everything that swift d could imagine in a princess.
"It is an honor, your highness." said Swift, and Electric bowed deeply.
"So what is it?" Celestia asked and instructed both of them to take a seat in a sitting area.
Swift took a deep breath and sat down before saying, "I think Nightmare Moon haunted my dreams tonight."
Celestia's eyes widened in disbelief and shock

Author's Note

Enchantment of the armor of the common soldiers:

There are a few different enchantments a soldier can choose from. In addition to standard protective spells, a soldier can also have more special enchantments, if these are justifiable.
For example, one of the standard spells on air armor is usually a telikinesis defense spell. In order to be stronger, ground troops have illusion spells so that they look like a larger unit and gaps are less noticeable.
Unicorn soldiers sometimes improve or modify the enchants on their own armor to support their own skills, such as building protective fields. To prevent misuse of the armor by the enemy, it is also bewitched so that it can only be worn by a handful of ponies, and others will be shocked if they want to put it on.

High-ranged soldiers receive a variety of enchantments.
Better protection, more resistance to enemy spells, some even get teleportation spells incorporated, which they can be teleported away quickly and safely if an ally says a certain pharse correctly.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 12

chapter 12

"This is serious news." Celestia said and walked up and down the room, "I'm sorry that you have to endure this, sergeant, but I can't really do anything about it. My sister is actually the guardian of the dream landscape, or should be."
"I will take it and go on, your highness." Swift said, bowing his head as low as the pain allowed, "Destiny made me an offer. I'm more than willing to endure anything thrown at me."
Celestia stopped and looked at him in surprise. "She did? Usually she's the one holding back the most."
Swift nodded, got up and beat his hoof on his heart, which was incredibly painful, but he didn't show it. He was about to prove something: "Your Highness, this soldier is ready to do anything to defeat Nightmare Moon and save your sister."
Electric looked at him in shock, then stood up and made the same gesture as Swift: "I'll do everything I can to ensure that Sergeant Swift is successful."
Celestia looked at both of them in surprise, then smiled. "Thank you very much, my little ponies. You don't know what that means to me." She continued to smile as she stopped at her writing: "actually ... I have something here that I actually wanted to send out tomorrow. The Stormbreaker Squadron, the Wonderbolts, the crew of the airship and you, Electric Swing, are invited to join a small festival. Although we lost Manehattan, your work saved the lives of so many ponies.
"It would be our honor, your majesty." Swift said bowing his head again, this time accompanied by Electric.

"What was that just now?" Electric asked when they were out again.
"What? The salute? An old custom in the Royal Guard. Usually intended for the better-armored soldiers. You offer your superior everything you have. To be honest, I have no idea why I did that." Swift said honestly, "but it felt right"
"But you are injured! You are certainly in pain again." Electric said with a serious expression on her face.
"Yes ... very much ..." admitted Swift and briefly held his chest, "broken ribs are really no joke. But for your concern for me, how about I compensate you?"
"How do you mean?" she cocked her head when he took her hoof and pulled her behind him. He moved her to the city center, there on a street that was lined with good restaurants and street cafes.
"What are you after for our first official date? What nice? What simple?" he smiled at her, whereupon she blushed slightly again.
After thinking for a moment, she asked: "Aren't we over at this point? We've already kissed and ... and almost ..."
Swift put a hoof on her lip, said softly, "so what? You deserve to be treated right. And after all that has happened, I want to use the recovery time to at least do something right."
Inwardly, Swift realized that Destiny was probably involved.
well, he would play along. Electric really deserved it.

A little later both were sitting in a small street cafe, Swift with a good, strong coffee, Electric also had a piece of cake.
"That's really good! Don't you want to?" she raised the fork for him.
Swift smiled, then leaned over and put the piece in his mouth. "Ah ... pretty sweet ... But yes, quite good. Next time for sure." he said with a smile.
"Why next time?" Electric asked with a confused expression on her face.
Swift grinned, "That's something we soldiers like to do." He leaned forward as far as his broken ribs would allow, then said seriously as he took her hoof in his, "Next time I have a cake here, I'll have to survive and come back. Same with debt." He winked at her, "If I only pay my debts after an order, I'll have to come back as a gentle colt, or I'll break a promise."
Electric's eyes grew bigger than she understood, then said with a sly smile: "Then it would be better to come back here, sergeant. The cake is really good."
Swift saluted. said: "By your command, Madam General. This soldier is making an effort to get home. And if I have to go through Tarterus."

It was the evening before the little party that Celestia wanted to hold. In the meantime it was clear that it was a matter of handing out awards and praising them for their work.
Swift was standing at Rarity's little accommodation and had the unicorn help him into his best uniform.
"You look just amazing Swift!" she said and looked at everything carefully, "The uniform is just a bit tight around the shoulders and with the wings you can tell that they are not actually made for the metal wings. But I have an idea ..." She began to summon her magic to get needle and thread. In a few moments two seams were opened and sewn again, then the hole around the wings was imperceptibly adjusted with scissors and sewed here too.
"Wow, you are really good." Swift said and looked fascinated in the mirror, "Sometimes I envy you unicorns."
"And I'll tell you Pegasie. It must be nice to be able to fly through the air. Lift your wings, please." she answered.
Swift raised his wings so she could continue working.
"I mean, fly over the clouds, just glide over a sea of white, land on it and walk, snuggle up in the clouds and feel Celestia's sun on your back." Rarity sighed. "I've often dreamed of it ..."
Swift smiled narrowly, then breathed: "Yes, that's nice. But it isn't always higher up. Winds, we call them ripper currents, can break the wings of a pegasus and drag you along with them, and you will never be found again. Thunderstorms Out of nowhere like the Everfree Forest were already dangerous. For me now twice because metal attracts lightning. "
"The badges please." interrupted Rarity.
Swift handed her his wounded badge and she started putting it on the front.
"Ouch, please don't press so hard." Swift said and flinched away from her.
"Oh dear, the needle? Or the ribs?" Rarity asked worried.
"Ribs." replied Swift.

"Ah okay I'm careful." she went on.
After that they were quiet for a long time, she worked on his uniform, he obeyed orders.
But at the very end, Rarity couldn't take it anymore: "How's it going with Electric?"
Swift allowed himself a quick grin before answering, "Very well. We finished our first official date a few days ago, our second the following evening, and I'll cook for you on our third date tonight. Tomorrow's funeral. " he chuckled when he saw Rarity's shocked face and said, "I can't cook, but Electric insisted."
That made Rarity giggle too.

The evening went all right, but as Swift said, he couldn't cook. The food was far from good and Electric decided to help him on the second try. both were working side by side in a comfortable silence when she suddenly turned around and blushed.
"What's that, Electric?" Swift asked, a little worried.
"Oh nothing ... I just realized what happened in romances after the third date." she said and shuffeld her hooves.
It took Swift a second to think, then leaned over to her, breathing in her ear, "only if you want to." he kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Do you want?" she asked back.
Swift took a moment to reply, but when he did he was sure: "Yes. Normally I would wait until after the mission." He held his chest, "But ... other than a missed cake or outstanding debts ... I don't want to regret not having done that."
Electric was silent, but then nodded and went on with her part of the work.

She was very quiet during the meal, and Swift blamed himself for it. He was probably too honest, or too direct.
He was all the more surprised when Electric got up after dinner and headed for her bedroom. Usually the two of them still lay together on the couch for a while, enjoying being close to each other.
In the door, Electric looked over her shoulder, lifted her tail a little and asked: "Are you coming too?"
she blushed. he blushed.
But like a piece of metal to a magnet, He was drawn after her. In the door he caught her up, looked at her, looked deep into her eyes, leaned down and kissed her full of love.
Both only had eyes for each other as they continued on their way to bed.

Swift woke up next to Electric late in the night. He should actually sleep, but he couldn't. He was too happy to just close his eyes. It was also a beautiful full moon night. He gathered up his clothes after getting up as quietly as possible and looked at Electric for a long time with a smile on his face. Then he crept out into the street and took off.

He flew for a while through the cool night air, first in the direction of the south, then again in the north, without a destination. Over Canterlort he then found a small lonely cloud on which he carefully landed.
well, the cloud held his weight.
He sank down on it and looked at the moon, the stars and the empty space in between.
What a wonderful night. and what a wonderful moon.
It was nights like this where he always wondered if you could just fly up to the moon.
Hey, probably a bad idea with that nightmare up there.
He heard the flapping of his wings, then a small impact on the cloud on which he was sitting.
Surprised, he looked over the corner of the cloud to see a pegasus that was stuck in the cloud and seemed to have problems getting out.
"Wait a minute, I'll help!" said Swift and flew behind the pegasus.
Then he began to pull

After a bit of dragging, the other end of the Pegasus came out and Swift realized it was a mare.
"Sorry, miss, I would not have been so rude if I had known you were a mare." he said and looked at her, "Everything okay?"
The gray mare shook her head to clear him up and to get rid of a bit of the cloud, then looked at him with golden eyes.
Or zimundest with one, the other eye squinted somewhere else.
"Th-thank you." she said uncertainly, then raised her hoof to him, "My name is Dizzy."
"I'm Swift, nice to meet you. But why are you still out so late?"
Dizzy seemed to react to the question with discomfort and only replied: "Night shift ..."
Swift was about to ask what night shift, but he'd seen the look before.
A young mare who had to do everything for her to survive. Back then he was too young to understand, now he knew.
"Ah ..." he just said and both flew next to each other in silence.
in the distance you could hear the bells.
"Oh buck ..." said Dizzy then, "I have to go to the 24/7 store!"
"Why the hurry? It's always open." Swift asked, surprised that he was asking the question that way.
"I have to be home before the little ones wake up." replied Dizzy.
"The little ones? Fillys?" Swift asked, somewhat shocked.

Dizzy nodded, "I take care of a couple of Fillys whose parents disappeared or who died in the war."
Swift's mouth was wide open before he said, "oh ... and ... and then why the 'night shift'?"
"So that I can provide." was Dizzy's embarrassed answer.
"But ... if you take care of fillys of fallen soldiers, then wouldn't the army have to provide money until the families come to pick them up?" Swift asked wide-eyed.
"Yes, but it's very little. And the job as Mailmare doesn't bring in that much." she rubbed her elbow.

Swift felt an impulse, and before he could think about it he asked, "Is there anything I can do to help? I've saved a few bits in the last few months while I was on the job. I could give you something."
Dizzy blushed and didn't look him in the eye anymore when she said: "M-my shift is over. But I can make an exception."
At first Swift didn't understand, then grinned: "No, I didn't mean that. I have a marefriend. I was thinking of a kind of donation for the Fillys." He reached into his saddlebag and handed her a hoof full of bits, put his hooves on hers: "My job as a soldier is to protect good ponies. And you are such a good pony. Please take good care of the little ones."
Dizzy's eyes seemed to focus briefly, then she wriggled around his neck and hugged him stormily and shouted: "Thank you! Thank you very much! I promise that the little ones will come first."
Swift wanted to cry out in pain, but held it back.
"no problem." he uttered suppressed, "You are pretty strong."
"oh sorry." Dizzy let go, "I have to go to the shop. The Fillys will be happy if there is a real breakfast tomorrow!" she shot straight ahead and towards the city.

Swift shook his head with a smile, then flew back onto his cloud.
"Who was that, Swift?" Electric asked curiously.
"Oh, that was apparently a mare with ..." he started, turned around and saw Electric standing there.
on the cloud. he almost slipped down in shock.
Was he just dreaming all this?
Electric giggled, asked, "Surprised? I worked on it with Twilight." she indicated some sort of backpack with mechanical wings, but lighter than Swift's, that was probably steered with a kind of control into the one on the left hoof. She also wore horse shoes that shone slightly, "The horseshoes ensure that I can stand on clouds, and I can fly with my backpack."
as proof, she took off and flew around.

Swift stared after her, fascinated, even if her wings looked more like the one of a batpony than of a Pegasus.
She did a lap around and Swift let go of the cloud, flew over to her. He watched her fly there and she beamed at him.
"You are amazing, Electric! Not only can you get wingless pegasi to fly again, no earth ponies too." with slight adjustments of his wings he began to rise up, to fly over her, then down on the other side and under her back again to the other side, then again at the same height, then he turned and flew with his back down further, under hers and raised his hooves so that she could put hers on his and they could hold each other.
How much Swift would have loved to tell her that he loved her at that moment. But he just couldn't. Instead, he kissed her, held her in a hug for a moment, before letting go of her and straightening up again.
"come on, I want to show you something!" he climbed steeply and Electric managed to follow him.

Above the clouds, which were just rolling in the direction of Canterlot, both flew back level to the ground.
"Welcome to a sea of clouds." Swift whispered, and pointed. It actually looked like a sea. It was also very calm and the moon was shining very brightly, which gave everything a supernatural touch.
"Oh wow ... that's beautiful! I wish I could stay up here forever." said Electric in disbelief.
"Yes that would be nice." Confessed Swift, "But at some point we'd both run out of magic in the MCUs and fall down like rocks."
"yes we would." Electric said, "But we can still enjoy it."
"We can ..." Swift flew forward and began to swing back and forth a little, then, with a tremendous flap of his wings in front of a cloud, made a tunnel for Electric into the cloud.
"What a gentlecolt." Electric said with a giggle.
"oh just wait till I start showing off." Swift replied, "I always wanted to be an aerial acrobat before I joined the army."
"Show me!" Electric said with a bright grin, and landed on a cloud. the runes on their horseshoes began to glow again.
Swift smiled and grabbed some cloud, then did simple and complicated maneuvers. Sometimes he climbed very high, folded his wings and let himself fall, looping, rolling, while the cloud in his hooves gently left a trail behind it like an aerial acrobat.
Electric enjoyed the show and applauded, so Swift bit his lip and suppressed the pain

After a while both lay on one of the clouds and continued to look at the stars. Well Swift looked up, Electric was sleeping snuggled up against him under his wing. Unless she took off the horseshoes, the magic inside would allow Electric to stand on the cloud.
There was a shooting star!
Swift secretly wished for nothing more than that he could find the elements of harmony and end this war so that he could start a new life with Electric.
And ... that he could finally tell her that he ... loved her.

Author's Note

Electric Swings Invention:

After the success with the EPS in the wings of two Pegasias, one with absolutely no remaining wings and one with a lost wing, Electric Swing and Twilight Sparkle worked on a non-Pegasus variant. The first prototype is in the test phase and requires an MCU, is built relatively lightly and is not intended for combat use, rather as a proof of concept. MCUs still need to be charged by Pegasie.
Possible uses: search and rescue missions, as a parachute replacement and for the use of earth ponies and unicorns behind enemy lines.
Wearing special horseshoes that have been enchanted with magical runes allows the wearer to even stand on clouds like a Pegasus

Previous problems are the very light construction, which makes them very vulnerable, and the problem that if an MCU is damaged, the Pegasus magic can be mixed with the magic of earth ponies or unicorns, resulting in an explosive mixture because it overloads the gem inside.

On Wings of Steel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Swift was the first to wake up. He felt his back leg hanging from the cloud, the sun was rising and it seemed to be a beautiful day.
Until he remembered WHAT day was today.
He almost jumped up, but Electric was lying next to him and that prevented it, yet he said in a tone that was not too loud: "We have to go!"
Electric woke up, stretched and asked sleepily. "What's the matter?" she yawned heartily and snuggled up against Swift again.
"We have an appointment ... in about 3 hours!" Swift said and looked at her regretfully. He really wanted to lie there, even if she had more of the cloud than he was and would soon fall off.
"It can't be as important as this ..." was Electrics' weary reply.
"Only the display of honor that PRINCESS Celestia ordered and which we have to attend." was Swift's answer, and it worked.
Electric jumped up and almost fell from the cloud when she said: "Oh my Celestia! We have to hurry! I still have to wash and change! Do I have to wear make-up? What do I even wear?"
Swift gave a chuckle, then got up: "First back. Then shower. I already have my clothes, I can help you with yours." He jumped into the air, "Come on, Canterlot is a ten minute flight from here."
Electric hadn't noticed that their cloud had drifted across the land.

After about fifteen minutes they were back in the Electric apartment and she was scurrying back and forth, into the bathroom, out of the bathroom, generally getting way too crazy with the appointment.
"How can you stay so calm?" she asked astonished and in a hurry, "we will stand in front of Celestia in front of a large audience! and we will receive a commendation for our work!"
Swift shrugged his shoulders, rubbed his chest when it hurt again and said, "Well, I probably won't panick until later. Maybe it's just that I'm more used to stressful situations than you are."
Electric stopped in front of him, looked at him questioningly: "What's more stressful than what we're doing here? We're going to a ceremony on the princess's summons!"
"I think getting shot at is much worse." Swift said with a shrug.
"Yes, that's right ..." Electric recalled, "Still, I'm nervous."
Swift raised his wing over Electric: "Don't be afraid, I'm always there for you."
She smiled narrowly, then galloped on over to dress up further.

On the way to the palace, the two ran into the next problem. literally.
Thousands of ponies were on the way in front of the palace, the roads were blocked with carriages.
"We'll never get in on time!" Electric said and began to panic again.
However, Swift had an idea. "But we'll arrive on time. Follow me." he led them into a side street, and spread his wings: "Jump up!"
Electric's eyes widened and she asked, "You want me to fly piggyback?"
Swift nodded, then thought, "Wait a minute, I've got a better idea." He took off, turned and flew towards her, then grabbed her in his front legs and hit her with it.
Electric looked at him in shock, asked: "What are you doing there?"
"We're taking the Pegasus Military Access." said Swift. His uniform made it clear that he was one of them, but why he wore a mare he had to explain when asked. good that you had your invitations with you.
When she looked up she could see that Swift had tears in his eyes.
With shock she stated: "Oh no, your ribs! That must be so painful!"
Swift just nodded and said softly, teeth clenched in pain, "Oh yes. More than I expected."

"Where is the sergeant? He should be here about 30 minutes ago!" Commander Dash said nervously, and looked at the lineup. The wonderbolts were at the front, followed by the ship's crew, behind them soldiers who also served on the ship, and at the end the stormbreakers as rearguards. Even the airship was already there, manned by a skeleton crew, ready to take off at a sign and fly over the square. In addition to those just mentioned, there were also the crew of three other ships, their pegasus squadrons. There were two of them in front of them and one behind them. That meant Swift didn't have much time to ...
And then Commander Dash heard the flapping of metal wings.
"It's about time, Sergea ..." Dash began, but stopped turning around in a sentence when she saw Swift carrying Electric in his arms.
She smiled, then said: "So ... how was your evening?"
"Quite good. Electric and I spent a night on the clouds." Swift said with a smile.
Dash giggled, then laughed.
Only then did Swift realize what he was saying, looked to electric which turned bright red with shame.
Swift just rolled his eyes.

When the ceremony started, Swift marched in front of his squadron. I set the airships in motion with their crews, but it was evident that one of the crews was incomplete. The crew before them wasn't nearly big enough, and their squadrons were incomplete. Obviously this crew was less lucky than the others. The ship also looked like it had only been poorly repaired. Swift silently thanked them that it was different with them. For the ceremony itself, he zoomed out. Only when it was their turn did he pay attention to what was said again.

"Next I want to ask the Wonderbolts and the Stormbreakers here." said Celestia in a solemn tone.
The two squadrons stepped out of line and marched forward, then saluted Celestia.
"You answered the call and immediately rushed to defend Manehattan. You are credited with shooting down several enemy airships, as well as direct combat with opposing squadrons. And you have rescued trapped civilians and freed prisoners. I hand over for these acts two squadrons the 'Golden Wings of the Dragon'. "
Swift's chest swelled with pride. This award was coveted and would do well in the Stormbreaker's home barracks. And they got them from Princess Celestia personally!
Swift accepted the award on behalf of the Stormbreakers, proud of his Squadron. When he was about to get back in line, Princess Celestia stopped him: "Just a moment, sergeant." Swift turned around again when Celestia said: "The Private Amethyst Fire and the specialist Arctic Bolt please step forward." both stepped in front of and behind Swift
"For the injury in battle, I will give Sergeant Swift Specter and Private Amethyst Fire a Purple Heart each." she solemnly attached the medals to their uniforms. at Swift next to the first.
"and I proudly present the 'Heart of the Dragon' to the specialist Arctic Bolt,"
Arctic's eyes went wide when the medal was attached to his uniform, "For bravery before the enemy, and for destroying the enemy flagship."
There was loud applause.
Swift also applauded

The rest of the ceremony was relatively quick and the groups broke up into smaller groups for private conversations.
The entire Stormbreakersquadron and also Electric gathered around Artic who was still beaming with pride.
"Congratulations," said Electric, beaming at Artic, hugging him and saying, "and thanks again for saving my Swift."
"Your Swift?" Rainbow Dash asked as she came trotting, "It still belongs to the army." She handed over a scroll, "March orders. Tomorrow at noon we're heading north. Twilight has located the next position."
"Yes Commander!" Swift said and saluted, then turned around: "You heard her. Enjoyed the evening, but no hangovers tomorrow, understand?"
"Yes sergeant!" said the entire squadron as if in one voice.
Swift cocked his head and looked at Amethyst before saying, "You are not meant, Private. Your injury renders you unfit for service."
"I know, Sergeant, but I've agreed to fly with you and help Twilight Sparkel and Electric Swing." said the private beaming.
"Oh wonderful!" Electric exclaimed, "I'm very happy!"

The evening was tough.
Swift's chest was still very sore as he lay down, but he needed sleep. Even more, it was so nice when he could snuggle up to Electric without having to be afraid that the alarm could go off at any moment. At the moment he was lying on his stomach and had a blissful smile on his lips.
Nothing could go wrong at the moment.
"Swift? Do we have to go to the front tomorrow? I heard the fighting in the north was particularly bad." it was Electric's low voice.
Swift sighed softly, then replied in a voice of reassurance, "Yes we have to. If there is really an element of harmony there, the best way to end this war is." He didn't even notice that he had phrased the sentence incorrectly, he was so tired.
His head lay down on the pillow and he yawned heartily again.
"Swift ... I'm with you no matter where you go." Electric again, this time a little ... quieter but safer.
"Then I will avoid Tartarus for the time being." he replied with a mischievous smile before finally falling asleep.

The next morning was as hard as the night before.
But for other reasons.
Swift didn't want to get up, it was too comfortable in bed with Electric at his side.
But all good things end at some point.
With a heavy heart he got up and at noon he found himself at the airship that was just taking off towards the north.
"Swift. Because of your injuries, you are given easy tasks at first." said Commander Dash, briefing everyone present, "The corporal should take over the Stormbreakers on patrol."
"Yes ma'am." Swift said and saluted, "Otherwise everything is business as usual. The journey will take about 4 days as we have to go slowly."

During the flight, Electric took regular care of Swifts and Rainbows wings. It was Rainbow's turn and had placed her metal wing on a workbench so that Electric could work more easily.
"I have a question for you, Electric." she said after a while
"Yes I'm listening." Electric said, "What is that question?"
"How does Swift handle two of these things?" she raised the wing, "I ... I don't feel completely anymore. And it hurts me every time I look in the mirror."
Electric screwed a little further before she replied: "I think it's the same with him, even if he doesn't want to admit it. I've already watched him do it. As soon as he sees himself, he looks at his wings and moves them very slightly, but he never looks particularly happy. "
Rainbow nodded, "I understand it. The grand piano is great, no question and I prefer it to nothing, but ..."
"... the feeling is simply missing." ended Electric for her.
Rainbow nodded.
That made Electric sigh, and she tapped her hoof against the metal of the wing as she said, "The problem is that we have no choice but to use steel. We tried everything, but only steel is light and hard enough for that load. Before the war even that would not have been possible. Maybe with a little more development time ... "
She closed the service hatch on Rainbow's wing
"Well, We will see." she finished the thought, "Maybe a unicorn will find a charm to replace the wings. I would prefer that personally."
Rainbow moved the wing as a test and rammed the wing edge against one of the workshop pillars. It didn't give a millimeter, but the pillar got a dent.
"Right now, the wings are very handy for combat, and Swift uses them as shields. Maybe it's not that bad." said Rainbow and examined the wing edge more closely, "I have to go. This week it's my season's turn with the evening patrol."
"Clear sky for you." Electric said, which made Rainbow smile.
"Ah, Swift always says that. I wonder where he got this from." Rainbows was current when she left.
So that wasn't normal for Pegasus?
She would ask Swift later.

Swift was flying alongside the airship, testing what his chest would do. In fact, it felt better in the air if the wing was only minimally moved. Strong wing beats, as used in combat situations, however, still hurt a lot. But that got better too.
Maybe he was ready for action again when they reached the front, even if he didn't believe it.
Simple explanation should be included, and that would be enough to find another element.
Hopefully it went as fast as the last time. Then they could take care of the last element that hadn't moved at all, which was a bit unsettling.
how much time did you have? nine to ten months, maybe only eight. He had to look at the calendar when he lands again.

Author's Note

The losses during the battle for manhattan were limited, but the collapse of the front at this point meant that many of Princess Celestia's troops are now trapped in an encirclement. It is estimated that one thousand five hundred soldiers are currently either on the retreat or are being held up on a new front while the old one follows them very quickly.
Nonetheless, the small tribute to the soldiers was received positively by the press and public.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Flying reconnaissance within your own front was a relatively safe job.
Usually.
"Watch out!" Specialist Sharp called, turning to one side as a volley of magical projectiles bite past them.
"We're going up a bit." commanded Swift, diving into one of the clouds above them, "and now to the right!" To fly straight ahead within the cloud would be a mistake, and the magical projects that whizzed up where they had just been proved that he was right.
"Do the Wonderbolts have such difficulties too?" Ruby asked and looked under the clouds with the help of a persicope to test whether it was working properly before she passed it on to Artic. It was now his job to look out for whether they were being targeted.
"I think they have a harder time. They fight on the front lines while we are just scouting" said Swift and closed his eyes for a moment. His chest was doing better, but it wasn't quite healed.
"Thanks for that, Sergeant!" Lucky said with an honest smile, "That means that we don't have to do that strenuous work."
Everyone laughed, including Swift.
"Well, specialist, it's my job as a sergeant to keep my people in good health and alive. As soon as I am a lieutenant, that will change."
Everyone laughed again.

Electric paced up and down the engine room of the airship for a while. Since the airship was parked a little off the front line, she didn't really have to do anything other than wait for a few spare parts for simple maintenance. to her surprise, Twilight came into the engine room.
"Hey how are you?" she asked with a slight smile.
"I'm a little worried about Swift, otherwise everything is fine." replied Electric, walking a little further before stopping and looking at Twilight, "Anything new about the element we're looking for?"
Twilight smiled narrowly when she replied, "Yes. This time the sphere is much more active than the previous ones. I think we are really close."
"Well ... I don't want to be here any longer than we have to." Electric continued her rounds.
"Very good." Electric went towards the door, "I'm hungry, are you coming?"
"Yes very much." answered Twilight with a smile and followed her.
"Hey, are you going to the canteen right now?" asked a voice. Aks both to see who it was they were surprised to see Applejack. followed by Rarity and Fluttershy.
"We were just on our way there too." Rarity said with a very big smile, "Also I want to finally hear how the dates with Swift were! We had so little time on the way here."
In fact, everyone helped
Fluttershy continued to work in the infirmary while Applejack helped move the goods and also helped on the ground when it came to loading and unloading the ship.
Rarity had made it her business to fix the uniforms and work clothes, and when she was out of work, to help out in the infirmary.

When the date was mentioned, Blushed Electric said: "Oh, you know how it is. We had a lot of fun, but Swift can't cook."
All five started
"So you guys had dates?" Twilight asked with great interest, "How did it go?"
Electric raved about the dates a little until they got to the canteen and got something to eat. in place she continued to rave about.
"and? were you in bed together too?" Rarity asked with a knowing look as Electric turned bright red.
All the mares in the place started laughing as Twilight started coughing, which saved Electric from asking.

The hours passed and the Stormbreaker Squadron was flying home.
"That went pretty well." Ruby said with a smile. except for the occasional ground fire that came from the enemy line when they got too close, it had been a relatively uneventful flight.
"I can't wait to rest my wings." Lucky whined and rubbed the back of his neck, "Seriously, those flights over enemy territory are the worst."
Ruby gave a cough before she said indignantly: "Hello? I carry everything here! The heavy equipment, the medical supplies, ammunition and so on. All you carry is the light equipment!"
"But mare, look at you!" Lucky said with a laugh, "You're twice as much as me! You definitely have earth ponies in your ancestors! I wouldn't be surprised if ..." he got no further when a volley of magic spears broke out of the clouds below them and forced the whole group to evade ...

Still in the canteen, the mares jumped up when the ship's PA started. "Incoming wounded! Prepare infirmary! Incoming wounded!" The alarm went off.
The mares ran off, Fluttershy headed for the flight deck as first aider, along with Twilight and Electric, while Rarity and Applejack ran for the infirmary to make preparations.
"What season is it?" Electrick asked one of the sailors.
"It's the Stormbreakers." said the latter and began to prepare the landing deck.
"Oh no! Nononononononononono!" Electric looked at the sky in shock.
Where did they come from
"Over there." Twilight said in a low voice.
When electric looked she could see why.
six Pegasi had departed, but she could only see five.

As they got closer, the sixth member of the squad could be seen. Ruby carried it instead of her backpack.
On landing, Sharp tripped and Artic tripped over her. Swift chose a vertical landing, as did Night. both had cuts, but nothing serious.
"Quick, take care of specialists Lucky!" he called, but Fluttershy was already there, her wings spread out to detect the slightest vibration on her neck with her feathers.
"He is dead." she said softly, "I can't do anything more for him ..."
When Ruby heard this, she began to shiver. even though she was the strongest in the squadron, she couldn't hold her weight anymore and collapsed, crying openly as she hit her hoof against the deck again and again.

The other violations were less dramatic. Cuts, a battered flight membrane on Corporal Nights wing, and multiple holes in the metal of Swift's wings where he was hit.
They were taken care of when Commander Dash stormed into the infirmary.
"How could that happen?" she asked with wide eyes and an expression of anger and shock, "How did you get caught in anti-aircraft fire behind allied lines?"
Swift sighed, hung his head as Rarity wrapped a bandage around his foreleg, and replied, "I think we weren't paying attention and we flew over the border. It's all my fault ..."
"Damn right Sergeant!" shouted Commander Dash, "These are mistakes that shouldn't happen! You lost a member of your squadron due to a navigation error and the rest are in bad shape!"
"Yes ma'am."
"Don't you dare say 'yes-ma'amen' to me! I want a better answer!" her anger with Swift was as hot as a thousand suns, and he could feel it.
"Ma'am, I take full responsibility. For the navigation error, for the wounding of my squadron, and for the death of specialist Lucky Shadow." he looked at her with a blank expression, "I accept any punishment."
Rainbow Dash snorted, then looked away in her anger and took a deep breath.
"Darling, you shouldn't be too harsh on him." Rarity said in a calming tone as she continued to take care of Swift's injuries, "This stallion here is already blaming himself enough and will probably have nightmares about it for a long time."
"OK then." Commander Dash let out another snort, then sat down on the bed next to Swift.
And there she just sat. Silent, and staring ahead.
Swift barely responded to that. His thoughts on the last flight.
If only he had looked at the compass.
and if he had just made sure to play it safe.
He should have been fooling around less
He would have ...
A hoof on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts.
"Don't ..." Commander Dash said quietly
"Don't what?" Swift asked quietly
"Don't blame yourself." Rainbow looked at him, "This is a war. Losses are inevitable."
"Yes I know." Swift replied, "But ... this loss WAS avoidable. I just had to be careful where we were going."

In the evening the crew of the entire airship gathered on the ground next to a pyre.
Specialist Lucky Shadow was on top, in a fresh uniform, made up and cleaned. There was nothing to indicate that a magical spear had struck him in the chest.
In silence, swift looked up as Commander Dash stepped onto a podium.
"We lament the loss of our comrade specialist Lucky Shadow, who fell in the exercise of his service. He was a friendly stallion, helpful and kind. As a son of heaven, we burn his corpse, so he ascends into heaven and there for forever can spread his wings in Celestia's Sun. May his spirit help us keep the winds favorable, the clouds calm, and the rain soft. " she turned to light the pyre with a torch.
Thereupon she saluted, as well as the rest of everyone present.

Swift was still where he was when the pyre was lit. And he still looked at the smoking pile that was left over.
He felt the Electric approach him.
"Swift ..." she said gently, "may I keep you company?"
Swift just nodded and raised his wing to feel her as close as possible.
So she snuggled against his flank and put her head on his neck, where she felt his pulse with her eyes closed and with the help of her forehead.
That calmed her down too.
"When it was said that I was injured I was afraid for you." she said after a while, "I'm almost ashamed not to have thought of the others too."
Swift pressed her a little closer to him with his wing: "When I leave the ship, I only think of you." he confessed.

He sought her gaze, and when they met, he kissed her gently. she returned the kiss gently, too.
"No matter what happens, I should know that you are fine, I'll come back. And if you're not fine, I'll fly to Tarterus if necessary." he looked deep into her eyes.
No, he couldn't tell. Not after today.
That would only invite the misfortune.
But how much would he like to tell her that he loved her more than anything?
what if the next ceremony was his, his funeral?
or worse
what if next time it was Electric who died?
All of this made him tremble with fear.
Electric, being so close, sensed it immediately and made him look him in the eye with a hoof, "Listen carefully, Swift. Nothing will happen to me. And you make sure that nothing happens to you, understand?" "
Swift looked into those lovely blue eyes.
"Your eyes are as beautiful as the clearest day, as blue as the sky." he breathed with a tear in his eyes, "I will always do my best to take care of myself."
He kissed her again, this time with more passion.
no he wouldn't say it. not yet.

if there was one thing Commander Amber didn't like at all, it was arbitrary.
Everything had to be arranged as nicely as a crystal. A crystal was beautiful, elegant, hard and sharp.
But the Equestrians...
First she had seen the Stormbreaker sqaudron. According to the espionage service, this squadron was traveling with the Wonderbolts, who had such an important task that there were no written records, at least nowhere where the spies of King Sombra could go.
And with the exception of Princess Celestia's private chambers, it was almost everywhere.
No couriers or radio messages were intercepted from this ship. it was as if they were just moving around with no aim or point.
absolutely chaotic.
She dreaded it.
Nevertheless, she had to admit it to herself, the wonderbolts were excellent opponents. Commander Dash was brave and loyal, graceful in the air and strong on the ground.
To defeat her would be a great triumph.
But everything in its time.
And now, by injuring and shooting down the other squadron, she would surely get a chance to face Commander Dash. But it did not escape her that the lead pony in the other Squadron was probably this metal-winged stallion Swift. How would she like to talk to him again.
Teach some manners.
Well that had to wait. Now she had given this airship a blow that would break morale.
Oh how wonderful it would be if the two squadrons tried to take revenge on her!
It would make everything so much easier.
"Lieutenant, prepare my ship." she said as she watched the funeral of the fallen Pegasus with binoculars, "But quietly. We don't want to reveal our presence yet."

on Wings of Steel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Thank you for being there for me." hooed Swift to Electric, who was lying next to him, "If I were alone now ..."
Her hoof on his lips interrupted him.
"I'm always here for you, Swift." she replied with a smile and snuggled up against him.
It was very reassuring to Swift to hear.

The next morning, Swift went to see Fluttershy in the infirmary first thing.
"can I ask you a favor?" he asked shyly and held out an envelope to her, "Should anything ever happen to me, can you give this to Electric?"
Fluttershy looked at the envelope confused, then pushed it back: "No. I can't do that. You'll have to do that yourself."
"But ..." began Swift, but Fluttershy was quicker: "No, no matter what you want to say. You will have to come back yourself and give her the letter."
Swift wanted to reply something about the fact that it wouldn't work that the letter was meant for the worst case, but then it clicked and he understood what she meant.
With a grim smile he put the letter back in one of his pockets and said with a grim smile: "Thank you."

Since the Stormbreaker had it a little harder, also and especially morally, the Squadron got a day off, which Swift spent at Electric in the workshop.
"So ... that should have been it." Electric said, and tightened one last screw, "Perfect. Your wings haven't been maintained that good in a long time."
A brief movement of the wings and testing of all elements confirmed this. Not a creak, squeak or screech could be heard.
"Perfect. I don't even know how I can make it up to you." Swift said with a small smile.
"oh i have a few ideas!" electric got a mischievous grin.
Swift also got such a smile when he replied, "I'm curious about that."

"That'll have to wait." Twilight's voice came from the door as she trotted in, "Swift, I need your wings. More precisely, something has to be built in."
Electric and Swift looked at each other questioningly, when Twilight put something on a table in front of Swift: "This. It's a kind of tracking spell. If it works, you should be able to find our target mare more easily. I just developed the spell and it appears to be function."
Swift saw the object, which looked like a simple metal rod with something engraved on it.
"How exactly does it work?" he wanted to know.
"The closer you get to the pony in question, the brighter the stick shines." she pointed to the gravueren, "in theory it shouldn't interfere with the MCUs in your wings either."
"in theory? and in practice?" Electric apparently wasn't keen on it.
"We have to test. But if it works, we'll be out of here faster." Twilight replied, "That was enough for me yesterday." you could see that she was sad.
"Well, I'll do a test flight tonight when there's less going on on the battlefield and our troops retreat into the trenches." Swift looked at Electric, "If you will allow me this test."

Electric looked at him in surprise. "You ask me? Why?"
Swift put his forehead to hers, closed his eyes and said softly, "It's you who I want to come back to every time. But after yesterday ... after yesterday I'm scared."
Electric's breath caught, but her heart leaped.
"I'll always be there when you return," she kissed him gently, and he returned the kiss just as gently, "And Twilight is right. If that works, who knows how quickly we'll be out of here."
"Good. I'll join Corporal Nights night patrol."

after it got dark, Swift got ready on the flight deck.
"Are you sure, sir?" night asked, looking Swift up and down.
"Yes, Corporal, I'm sure. We'll test a new piece of equipment, if everything works out that will speed up our search," he smiled narrowly, "I can also clear my head for something like this."
"We have a full moon night. I mean that only because your wings might shine." Night said with a sly grin.
Swift looked at his wings as if he was just beginning to notice.
"huh ..." was his only comment and they both took off.

They flew low over the allied trenches and watched the enemy front, while both kept an eye on this strange metal rod that was now attached to Swift's wing tip.
It gave off a faint glow, but that didn't really help considering how big the area was.
"Hey Sarge," said Night at some point: "Time is up. Fly back, I will continue to take care of the front."
Swift looked up at the moon. "Okay ... I promised Electric. You can handle it alone?"
Night began to smile: "I'm not alone. A whole Thestral Squadron is on patrol up ahead. I can hear them."
Swift nodded, "good luck and clear skies." it tilted over the right wing and flew back towards the airship.

Swift crept quietly into his cabin, but Electric was still awake.
She smiled at him and blushed a little.
"Good evening, pretty, were you just waiting for me?" he smiled and began to take off his uniform and light armor. Only in his uniforms did he get into bed with Electric and she snuggled close to him again.

"There you are again."
That voice ... Swift swallowed hard.
"I was already expecting you."
The black alicorn mare stood in an environment that swift did not even begin to recognize.
"What do you want?" Swift asked and went into a defensive position, his head low above the floor, standing slightly to one side to either attack or fear quickly. His body hadn't decided yet.
"Talk." Nightmare Moon got up and walked up to him, her black skin peeling off on the way and revealing a dark blue fur. the wings that looked like Corporal Night became feathery like swift once had.
"Fear not, my little pony. I am Luna." said this mare with a much more pleasant voice.
"A trick, nothing more." Swift was still on the alert.
"No, that's no trick. I don't have much time. I know that you are looking for the elements of harmony. Give them to me when you have them all." said Luna and looked seriously into his eyes.
"yes of course ... to do what?" swift asked suspiciously.
"If the elements are turned against me I will be banished to the moon for another thousand years, like last time. But when I have them I can free myself from the Nightmare curse." she raised her hoof to him, "Please, I don't want to be stuck on this dusty wasteland for a thousand more years."
Swift rose slightly, but he continued to look suspiciously at her.

He thought about what she had said.
"I do not believe you." he finally said, "that sounds like a trap to me."

"and you are right." said another familiar voice.
Death had appeared and stood next to Swift: "Hello Luna. Haven't seen you in a long time."
"Grim, you are still there? Hasn't my sister made you the offer that you can finally rest in peace yourself?" Luna turned back into Nightmare Moon
"But she did, but I continued to swear my allegiance to her." was Death's answer, and he seemed to be grinning again.
"Oh right, there was something. You fell in love with Destiny!" Moon laughed and it hurt Swift's ears.
"Exactly. And if she wishes I will continue to serve her." Death yelled at Swift, "Now leave this stallion alone so he can do the job Destiny gave him."

Another laugh from Nightmare Moon, and within a moment she was standing in front of Death and kicking him aside as if it were nothing.
"You may be death, Grim, but you have no chance against a goddess like me." with these words she grabbed Swifts Kin and forced him to look into the eyes, "and you, little pony," for swift the world seemed to fade when only these turquoise eyes were in his field of vision, "we will do what I ask, or my next goal is your Marefriend, "the world got a little darker, and swift couldn't do anything about it," Destiny may have chosen you, but I will own you. And with the help of the elements I will finally get my night eternal! "
That laugh again. It echoed in Swift's ears, in his skull, from end to end, and the two turquoise orbs in front of him were underscored by a grin that broke open and showed razor-sharp teeth that made the laugh.
And that laughter kept filling his skull.
He couldn't scream.
He couldn't look away.
He silently pleaded with Death to give him the coup de grace.
Nothing happened until he finally woke up again.

He started up with a gasp. It was time to get up, right on time. Electric had cuddled up to him all night and was sound asleep.
His skull boomed.
And he could see a dark shadow in the corner of his eye.
he just knew that it wasn't a normal nightmare again.

He dragged himself into the canteen, eyes half closed, and managed to drag himself to his squadron's seats without dropping his breakfast or spilling his coffee.
"Is everything okay, Sarge?" asked Ruby. Her voice was lower than usual. When Swift looked up and tried to answer with a smile that he would like to be dead so he could go back to sleep, his eyes widened. His squadron ... they had no eyes! Where the eyes should be were black orbs, their bodies twisted and broken. blood hung in their fur, ther uniforms where shredded. Swift let out a scream and fell off the bench, and with a loud metallic CLANG he landed on his back, wing first.
"Sergeant, what's going on here?" Commander Dash asked, appearing in his field of vision.
Exactly the same.
Another scream from Swift, but his wings held him to the ground, so he put his hooves over his eyes and curled up as best he could.
"This is not real. This is not real. This is not real!" he repeated over and over again.
Electric appeared next to swift and gave him a startled look.
"What has he?" she asked Dash, she just shook her head, said: "Maybe it's the nerves. Maybe some kind of PTSD. We should take him to the infirmary."

Fluttershy went through all sorts of procedures.
"I don't think it's PTSD." She said, "He's more like hallucinations, but other symptoms are absent. I gave him a sedative." she looked at her patient, who seemed to be sleeping restlessly. "Has that happened before?"
Electric shook her head, "not that I know of. But ..." she thought for a moment, "I'm afraid it's the same as our R&R in Canterlot."
When Commander Dash, who was also there and Fluttershy looked at her, told Eelectric what had happened and how they got to Princess Celestia afterwards.
"Oh my ..." said Fluttershy, "I don't think I can help him ... maybe Twilight can do something. She's a very talented sorcerer."
Dash nodded and said, "I'm going to get her. Electric, you stick with swift. Strap him on. I don't want him to hurt himself or anypony else.

Author's Note

Element tracking unit
ETU

Developed by Twilight Sparkle to help locate the remaining elements. This device is a combination of alchemy, runes and magic, as well as a touch of science.
Twilight has managed to combine everything so that

on Wings of Steel Chapter 16

chapter 16

Twilight went through all the books she had on site, but the library wasn't as well stocked as Canterlot. Amethyst, unable to go on missions because of her broken wing, helped her to find it and went one book after the other.
"I can't find anything useful here!" she said in frustration, "and Princess Celestia hasn't answered either. What should I do?" She began to trot in circles, "If what Electric says is correct, that is an incredibly strong curse. Or could it be an incredibly strong curse. What if it is something else? Then what could it be?"
"Maybe ..." began Amethyst, "maybe this is it." she put a book down for Twilight. Illusions, dreams and imagination and how to manipulate.
"It's worth trying. Maybe we can find something." Twilight began to look through everything when a letter came from Celestia.
"Finally!" she exclaimed and read the letter quickly, "Princess Celestia regrets the situation and she understands our problems, but unfortunately she is herself on the battlefield here in the north right now. She cannot go through the library herself, but a courier is on the way to send the curators on a search. "
She looked up, a little shocked: "The princess is here?"

Swift's breath was fast and rattled.
He was now running for who knows how long through a seemingly endless corridor, behind him he heard screams and this one laugh that belonged to her.
He had never felt so much fear, not even when he was first shot at. Or when he was nearly stabbed with a spear by an enemy. He had only won the death grip thanks to a comrade.
"It's good, Swift." he heard a familiar voice, "You don't need to be afraid."
Death was next to him, and seemed to be sliding across the floor.
or as if Swift's hooves were moving space and not him.
"But ... SHE could be back there!" he said with a rattling breath.
"No, she is not. Your fear is back there. Seen from the face of it, your fear is right now. Trust me." Death raised his hoof to him.
Swift looked at the hoof, then became more scared. "Will ... are you going to get me? Like Lucky?"
Death sighed and bowed his head a little so that Swift couldn't see his face.
"Lucky's time was up. Everypony has its time in this world, and everypony will one day be brought to the other side by my hoof. It's not a nice job, but ... I took it once voluntarily." Death raised his head again, fire in his eyes.
With a powerful stomp of his hoof, the ground broke under Swift and he began to fall.
He screamed in panic because he had no wings.

Fluttershy turned around, startled, when Swift gave a scream and fought the shackles that were holding him in the sickbed. Electric had also jumped up to rush to Swift.
"What has he?" she asked worried.
"I don't know," said Fluttershy, holding her hoof to his forehead, feeling his pulse, "But he seems to be very scared. I can't do anything for him at the moment. Just hold his hoof."
Electric did that and had tears in her eyes.

Swift couldn't see the ground.
There were no walls
And everything above him was pitch black
But he felt the wind tug at him while he felt.
So He had to fall, right?
Only that Death was standing next to him and was completely still again. not even a breeze pulled his robe.
"Don't you trust me, Swift? I am death, the great equalizer. My job is to be fair, my mistress is Destiny, I obey here alone." he said in a firm voice, "I'll do that shortly after the time started, and I'll do it until I'm released from this pack."
He raised his hoof to Swift again, "and it's not your time yet."
Swift thought for a moment, then tried to grab Death's hooves, but hesitated.
Death leaned forward and helped Swift the last inch.
As soon as Swift touched Death's hoof, the wind stopped and Swift gently touched down.
Swift looked around, breathing hard.
"come with me. I'll take you to a safe place until your friends can help you." said Death and went first.
Swift didn't have much choice and followed with trembling legs.

as soon as Electric had touched his hoof, swift had calmed down a little, was breathing hard and sweating. She also began to stroke his forehead and whispered: "I'm here, Swift. I'm here for you ..."
Still a little unsure what exactly the problem was, Fluttershy went back to other patients with the words: "If something changes, let me know."
"okay ..." Electric said and continued to look at Swift with concern.

Swift recognized a small cabin in the distance.
"Wait ... am I ..." he started to ask, but Death just laughed and shook his head.
When the door opened they were both in a room Swift already knew.
"Hello Swift." said Destiny from a place in front of the fireplace, "come sit down with me. I want to tell you a story."
Swift was a little unsure, but then sat across from Destiny.
"So you won't be able to see anything." Destiny said and with the help of her magic she pulled Swift over, raised her wing and put it over Swift.
Just like his mother used to do when he was scared as a little foal.
He felt safe in that hug.
"There. Much better, right?" she asked with a smile and with the help of magic she lifted a book so that Swift could see it too.
Instead of words, there were pictures inside that were moving.
"This is the story of how my little sister was taken over by this nightmare." she explained.

Swift seemed to calm down more and more, even if he still looked restless. Electric sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.
"How is he?" asked Rarity, who was working in the infirmary, and brought Electric a glass of water.
"I think he is slowly calming down. I just hope that everything was really only a nightmare. Not that he is worse off than we thought." She patted his cheek gently, "He's been through so much already."
"Yes, that's right, and so far he has always come out stronger." Rarity said with a grin, then put her hoof on Electrics shoulder: "He can do it."
"I hope so. With friends like you all he can certainly do anything. I just wish I could do more at the moment." Electric sighed softly, "I'm pretty much useless right now."
"That's not true, my dear. You give him support and comfort. After all, he loves you, doesn't he?" pointed out to Rarity.
"I think so. He just never said it before."

Swift had listened to the whole story and put his head on his forelegs, starting to think.
"How come you actually spend so much time with me? Or Death, when we're at it. Don't you have to be everywhere at the same time?" he asked thoughtfully.
"But we are." Destiny replied, "I am responsible for every fate. And that means I am with every living being at all times. Just like Grim. I can't explain this accurately, but ... try to imagine a caladoscope. Just instead of patterns you see." a pony, and with every pony I am. For every decision this pony makes, the picture is divided into further pictures. And I am always with this pony. Each time I have to create a new path until the next decision. Exactly so it is with Grim. He has his tasks from me, and he does them. "
She smiled at Death, who smiled back.
"Why do you call him Grim?" Swift asked, "Nightmare Moon did the same."
"Well ... that used to be my name. Grim End." Death explained with a smile, "When I died Destiny had to collect souls herself and lead them to the other side. I have offered her to take on this task." explained Death, "and she has accepted. This should be the case until we both declare the contract we made to have been fulfilled."
"ah ... and why is Nightmare Moon after the elements of harmony?" Swift asked further.
"Oh dear, somepony is eager to learn!" Destiny said with a laugh, then opened the book again, this time the pictures showed something different: "There are timelines that are a little bit shifted. This one, for example, shows how Nightmare Moon was defeated and returned as Princess Luna. That would be if the whole thing with the time travel not happening, our timeline would be similar to the one there. "
"Sounds complicated." Swift said and looked at the book, the pictures moved and he recognized a couple of mares. "hey, this is Twilight! and this is Fluttershy, Rarity Applejack and Commander Dash! but who is this pink pony? I know her from somewhere"
The book was quickly closed.
"You shouldn't see that." Destiny said, "It could distort decisions you make."
"But it could also help to fix this timeline as you wish." Grim interjected, stepping next to the two of them, "It's time to go again, Swift. Your friends have found a solution to your problem. And if they wake you now while your soul is not in your body, this could have unpleasant consequences for you . "

Twilight's horn glowed a heavy magenta, and the magic of the spell enveloped Swift's head.
His facial expressions softened again and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Okay I hope this helps." Twilight said, giving way to Fluttershy, who controlled Swift. "Pulse is relatively normal. He has no fever ... breathing is normal again." she widened his eye to test his pupils. "and the pupils react normally."
"I want to hope so." Swift said weakly, and protested loudly afterwarts, "Please turn off the light. It's stinging in my eye."
Fluttershy almost dropped the flashlight in shock.
As Swift looked around, he realized he was in the infirmary.
"What ... what happened? Why did you tie me to the bed? Is that a kind of joke? A prank?"
Rainbow Dash walked over to him cautiously. "Don't you remember anymore?"
"Not much ..." Swift said and began to think hard.
Then the memories came back and he grabbed his skull: "ouch ... but I can remember me again. It was as if I had stumbled from one bad nightmare into the next and then into a third." Then he was startled and sat bolt upright in bed "Destiny ... I now know the story behind the two sisters. And I have an idea what our fifth element looks like!" He jumped up, "We're looking for a pink pony with a pink mane. I met her once. What was her name? Hmm Pinkamina Pie, I think. She was ..."
Electric piped up: "She was the one who kicked dents in your wings while sparring! I remember!"
"Exactly! We are looking for her!" Swift called full of energy and jumped off in the direction of the door: "What are we waiting for?"

"We're waiting for you to get better, sergeant. I don't know what exactly you've been dreaming, but from the outside it looked pretty violent." Commander Dash said in a harsh tone, "and if you haven't had a check-up you're banned from flying!"
Swift's wings fell to the ground with a metallic crack.
"But ..." he began, Rainbow Dash lifted his hoof, interrupted him: "No Buts unless you have a tail to go with it. And now swing your flank back onto the bed and let Fluttershy do her work."
"Yes ma'am." Swift said and went back to the bed, sat on it.
"While you're doing that, I'll get both squadrons ready so that we can go when you're done."
this time the answer was much happier: "Yes, ma'am!"

Author's Note

Nightmare Moon's attacks:

While Swift Specter is a relatively easy target thanks to the insecurities he carries around with his wings and because of his feelings about Electric, reports of strange nightmares are mounting across Equestria. Alleged attacks by an Alicorn are also said to have occurred, but this can also be attributed to dreams. Otherwise it only happens on full moon nights, it is becoming more and more common.
A sure sign for all who know of the existence of nightmare moon that it is gaining strength and preparing to break out.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Swift flew in front of his squadron, the Amethyst Fire and Lucky Shadow seats hadn't been replaced, so they flew understaffed, continued behind their own lines, but stopped at larger outposts and military camps and asked for a Pinkamina Pie, or whether it is known where she is.
So far no luck.

"I think it's time we turned around." Swift said and looked down at the front line. In the meantime trenches were being dug and sandbags were being piled up. New cannons were set up further back, larger than those used on ships.
The war was changing.
It was only a matter of time before a pegasus in the air was even more unsafe than a soldier on the ground.
After all, unicorns could create shields.
"Yes, time to turn back. Turn south."
All obeyed Swift's orders. they would fly further back inland.
"okay now west." they were just out of sight of their own front, well within their own.
It would be a nice and quiet flight back and then ...

"contact, southwestern. unknown." reported Sharp.
Swift looked in the direction and indeed, a flash of light from the southwest told the squadron that they were probably being watched.
"could be your own ..." said Swift thoughtfully, turn off, we fly huin and take a look. "
The squadron responded with: "Yes sir!"

They were moving fast, and when they flew over the point in question everyone could see that two soldiers dressed in enemy uniforms were retreating towards the east on the ground.
"A unicorn and an earth pony, possibly a crystal pony ... heading east." reported Sharp, "Seems to be alone."
"Very well, enemy scouts behind our lines. I want to capture you alive!" reported Swift, "So, mission is capture, hit fast, deep and hard!"
The entire season went lower until their wings were level with the running ponies.

They ran through a line of trees that was open enough for the squadron to fly through. The two fleeing enemies shouted something, but Swift didn't understand what, until about a dozen enemy unicorns emerged from a grain field that was about waist high and opened fire.

"IT'S AN AMBUSH!" called Corporal Night.
Swift grabbed his spear tighter and flew a little lower, right at the enemy. "I want the watchers alive, kill the rest if they don't surrender!" With slight movements to the left and right, he dodged enemy magical projectiles. In a flash he had overtaken the fleeing enemies, flew past them and rammed his spear through one of the enemies at full speed, slid to a halt and let the lifeless body fly straight ahead, so that three more enemies were torn down. Sharp and Artic did the same, only Corporal Night let go of his spear and regained altitude. Ruby meanwhile had crashed into the enemy like a huge steamroller and struck with two spears, shouting: "THAT'S FOR LUCKY SHADOW!"
Because she was so strong and well built, the unicorns had no chance in her range. She tossed them around like toys.
Atin used his wings against melee attacks, and fought with the spear, determined to eliminate the threat.
He didn't notice a unicorn charging a shot and pointing at him.
When the shot broke, Swift heard nothing for a moment.
Time seemed to stand still when he turned to the shot. he was so slow, but swift knew there was no way to avoid it
"SERGEANT!" He heard Sharp call specialists, and out of the corner of his eye he saw her throw herself into the line of fire.
He wanted to stop her
That could not be true!

But it was. he could see in slow motion how the magic spear hit Sharp and how she was swept around by it. Her hoof flew away, the rest to the ground.

After that everything seemed to go back to normal.
Sharp was lying on the floor, holding his bloody shoulder, uttering a weak and painful "Ah ..."
“Pony on the ground!” Was all Swift could shout, then he kept attacking, trying to defend Sharp as best he could.
"Hold by specialist! You survive this!"
The shooter drew again, but this time he didn't get to fire his magical spear. One made of metal and wood went through his neck and blood spattered all over the place.
Swift couldn't remember throwing his.
Now it was called hoof on hoof combat.

Another air raid by Night and another enemy fell while Ruby cut her way through the enemy lines. When her spear broke, she took one of the opponents to hit the other opponents. four of the enemy troops surrendered. the two observers were also placed.

The others lay either dead or dying in the cornfield. Sharp's wound was bandaged and an analgesic was administered.
her pulse was weak but there.
After the fight, Swift launched a red smoke grenade followed by a green one.
Other air patrols would now know that there are enemies and allies here. Swift went over to Specialist Ruby and Sharp.
"How is she doing?" he asked, looking at Sharp.
"She's doing badly, but she's stable. I think she'll get through." Ruby replied softly, "but i cant save her hoof."
"Yes, I feared that." Swift closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at the prisoners who were sitting in the field with their hooves behind their heads. He went straight to the senior officer, the observer who had run away, and stood up in front of him.
Both looked each other in the eye, neither was willing to give in.

Just as the enemy officer was about to say something, another group of pegasi landed. The squadron paramedic took care of the injured immediately. "This mare urgently needs a hospital and better care!" Two with a stretcher began to secure Sharp on it.
"Sergeant, that was a very good job." said a lieutenant.
"Thank you, sir. But my group was hit hard, I think we won't be able to fly for a while."
"Understandable. We'll accompany you back to your airship." suggested the lieutenant
"That would be very nice, sir. But can I ask you to take this prisoner here on our airship as well? I think Commander Dash would be happy to have someone to interview." Swift finally broke his gaze and looked at the lieutenant.

A little later, with the exception of Sharp Wing, everyone was escorted back to the airship. Once there, the group was welcomed again by Fluttershy and the medical team.
and the enemy officer was also examined.
"What am I gonna do with you, Swift." Commander dash said, shaking his head, "Almost as if you wanted to die."
"I can't help it. Nobody expected an enemy air defense force behind our line. And I'm now sure that I was on the right side of our front when specialist Lucke died."
"Possible, but unsettling." Dash admitted, "But there is good news too."

Just as the enemy officer was about to say something, another group of pegasi landed. The squadron paramedic took care of the injured immediately. "This mare urgently needs a hospital and better care!" Two with a stretcher began to secure Sharp on it.
"Sergeant, that was a very good job." said a lieutenant.
"Thank you, sir. But my group was hit hard, I think we won't be able to fly for a while."
"Understandable. We'll accompany you back to your airship." suggested the lieutenant
"That would be very nice, sir. But can I ask you to take this prisoner here on our airship as well? I think Commander Dash would be happy to have someone to interview." Swift finally broke his gaze and looked at the lieutenant.

A little later, with the exception of Sharp Wing, everyone was escorted back to the airship. Once there, the group was welcomed again by Fluttershy and the medical team.
and the enemy officer was also examined.
"What am I gonna do with you, Swift." Commander dash said, shaking his head, "Almost as if you wanted to die."
"I can't help it. Nobody expected an enemy air defense force behind our line. And I'm now sure that I was on the right side of our front when specialist Lucke died."
"Possible, but unsettling." Dash admitted, "But there is good news too."

Swift was walking into the conference room when a pink hind hoof crashed into the door frame just past his head. He only missed because Swift ducked in time.
"Ah, as I see you have learned to keep an eye on your surroundings. An improvement, lead wings!"
"Yes, I have improved. Please stop calling me lead wings." Swift said and grabbed the hoof that was still pressing against the door frame.
"Make me!" the other hind hoof dashed straight towards Swift's face and almost hit him if Swift hadn't ducked. As a result, however, pinkamina was free again and with all four hooves she pulled Swift out of the room again. But apart from the air it hit nothing.
"You practiced, didn't you? Very nice!" Pinkamina smiled and got back into fighting position.
Swift did the same, this time prepared.

"Stop immediately!" Commander Dash called, about to interrupt her, when the fight broke out. Quick kicks from Pinkamina were blocked by Swift's wings and front hooves.
"You're slowing down ..." said Swift, "or are you getting soft?"
"You wish that!" said Pinkamina and laughed a little before she changed her teeth and the punches and kicks came in quicker succession.
It was only after a while that Swift landed a counterstrike, much to Pinkamina's surprise.
"oho, someone trained there." she said with a giggle and then defended herself a little, but Swift just lacked the earth pony endurance.

Only when Swift slowed down and Pinkamina wanted to continue, Commander Dash came between the two of them and pushed them apart with her wings.
"It's over now, both of you! What's that supposed to mean?" she asked angrily.
"We just said hello ma'am." Pinkamina said with a shrug, "no big deal."
"no big deal?" Dash snorted, then pointed to all the eyewitnesses and onlookers who had gathered in the hallways, "Two soldiers are having a hoof fight here, and that's 'no big deal'?"
Swift laughed a little before he said, "Commander, Pinkamina tested me in hand-to-hand combat after I got the wings. After that we met a few times to train. She helped me a little over the loss of my squadron come and then also about the fact that I am no longer a real Pegasus ... "
"The lenders again ... You are no longer a pegasus, you are a Cypony! You are better than a normal Pegasus!" interjected Pinkamina.
"Yeah, probably, but it doesn't feel any better. I wish you knew what I mean. Feeling the wind in the feathers, the sun warming your wings, the freedom to fly wherever you want ..." Swift looked dreamy the window, "I can't have all that anymore ... but I can fly wherever I want ... all thanks to Electric."

Author's Note

Enemy troops behind your own lines are rather unusual as the northern front has developed more and more into trench warfare. the rows of four trenches are difficult to negotiate, and behind them there are often cannon positions manned by earth ponies. Because there are many allied air units at the front, the canines are used more defensively.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Amber Gem. Commander of king Sombras seventh attack fleet.
Yes she was, with all her successes. But now she was facing a defeat that she didn't like. "Prepare one of the light airships, 100 prisoners of war, and a minimal crew. I have to talk to the enemy." The officer at her side looked confused.
"The enemy has something that I want. Maybe we can achieve something in exchange for prisoners. Oh and look for the wounded who would only have been a burden to us."
"Yes Ma'am!"

"My squadron is getting pretty understaffed." Swift said very tiredly to Commander Dash as they both walked through the corridors of the airship. "One loss, one with a broken wing, the other badly injured, I'm not quite healed yet. And let's not forget Specialist Ruby is on a personal vengeance when we encounter enemies."
"Sounds fun." said commander dash and scrunched up her muzzle, "at least we can get out of here soon. With pinkamina we have five out of six. If the last element decides to show itself, we can put our feet up and wait for Nightmare Moon, no worries do something with her and then put Sombra in the cold. "
Swifts smiled wearily, "Yes, I hope so," he yawned heartily, "where a vacation would be nice."
Pinkamina Pie appeared right in front of the two of them without any premonition, her muzzel against Swift's muzzle: "I know what gets you up, comrade. I would like to end our sparring that we started."
Swift jumped back, landed on his rump, looked at her startled: "What in tarterus? How did you do that? And do you know what personal space is?"
Pinkamina giggled briefly before answering: "I'm always everywhere, Silly. That's part of my job. And yes, I know what personal space is, why?"
Swift's expression went blank as she said it so cheerfullly.

"Okay, time to shut you up, Pinkie!" Swift said, standing on his hindlegs, his front hooves raised to block her blows.
"Pinkie? I kind of like the sound of that." Pinkamina said, "If you beat me you can call me that."
"and if not?" Swift grinned with a determined look.
"I can think of something, lead wing." Pinkie also stood on her hindlegs, but her front legs were loosely down.
Swift saw it, then came the signal to start from Rarity, which dropped a handkerchief.

"Come on Swift! You can do it!" Called Electric and cheered him on.
"Come on, Seargent, you don't want us Air Force to be ashamed." that was Commander Rainbow Dash.
"Please be careful and don't get hurt." Fluttershy was there too, with the first aid kit at hoof.
Applejack had leaned against the nearby hull of the ship and was watching with interest, but said nothing. both began to circling, keeping an eye on their opponent.
Pinkamina held hers upright, her head slightly bowed and slightly silky, her ears attentive to Swift. Swift held back a little.
Then he saw Pinkamina just close her eyes and exhale.
That was his chance.
He jumped forward and hit her.
" huuuurg!"
His hoof landed in nothing.
Pinkamina had ducked under him, her front legs still loosely at her side, she turned and hit his hindlegs away from under his body with her hindleg.
Swift almost fell over, but he managed to prop himself up and quickly get back on his feet.
Pinkamina was back in the same starting position as before.

This time Swift wasn't going to let himself be tempted. he kept his distance and focused on Pinkamina. they both turned around until a glint in Swift's eyes briefly distracted him.
Something on the ship glittered in his eye ...
Bam, a hoof hit him in the face, followed by another and one in the stomach area.
Swift leaned forward to see Pinkamina jump, twist in the air, and cave in to a tremendous kick.
Swift reflexively raised his wings to protect his back, but the impact was so severe that he felt it in all four legs.
"not bad, lead wings." said Pinkamina, jumping a little aside, "that would have brought any normal Pegasus to their knees."
"The floor is dirty and I don't want Rarity to have another seizure because I ruin beautiful uniforms." Swift replied, stepping out of his current position after her. with one front hoof on the ground, he turned on his own axis and missed her muzzel by only one inch.
Pinkamina laughed and did a backflip, then another before she hit the wall of the airship, hit just over Applejack, kicked off the wall there and flew like an arrow in the direction of Swift.
He just managed to avoid it, but he barely had time to relax when pinkamina turned around and almost gave him another blow.

"I admit you're doing well, lead wing." she raised her hooves, "time to get serious."
Swift's eyes widened when he asked. "How now? You're just getting serious now?"
In response, he received a few quick blows to his side, and while he was defending himself, a hoof hit him from the other direction. He could only see a pink shadow moving in front of him and slowly backing away.
More punches until one got through and caught Swift on the muzzle. then another came in the chest, one in the stomach and a kick threw him off balance. he landed on his back and the air was pushed out of his lungs.
Next he felt how Pinkamina leaned on him and pressed down, with a big smile she explained: "I win."
"I haven't given up yet!" Swift explained as he wanted to jump up, only hit him again, this time harder than the others and sent him back into the dirt.
"Don't mess wit me." said pinkamina and her smile was gone, "You can't win this fight, any more than I would win an aerial fight against you. Stay in your element."
She raised her hoof to help him up.

Swift was holding his muzzle, his nose bleeding from the last blow.
But he accepted the hoof and let himself be helped up.
"Okay you won." he admitted, "How about I invite you to the next dinner. I'll pay then."
"It's a deal, lead wing." she smiled, "and I want to borrow your Marefriend."
"Me?" Electric asked startled, "Why?"
"I have a few ideas and you are the best mechanic I know." Pinkamina said with a smile, "Oh, everpony except Swift can now call me Pinkie. I like the nickname." she trotted away happily.
Fluttershy took care of Swift's nosebleed.

Just as they were getting back on board the airship, a courier came flying in and landed on the deck. He saluted the soldier there, handed over a letter, and flew away again.
A little later, Rainbow Dash's voice sounded over the PA system and announced: "To all stations, we are receiving important visitors. A Crystal Empire ship requested an exchange of prisoners. Get ready for take-off. To all military and civilian employees We want to position ourselves well , dress up, but stay vigilant. I don't want any spies near the machines. "

Swift was on the deck with the others. The airship was floating in the no man's land between the fronts, and an armistice had been specially declared. The other airship came slowly alongside and a wide bridge was pushed over.
"You have to be kiddn me ..." mutterth Swift quietly when he saw Amber Gem, the enemy commander, as she and two guards strutted across the bridge.
She stopped at the end of the bridge and asked: "Do I have permission to come on board?"
"Permission granted." replied the captain of the ship and saluted, just like everyone else in this parade formation.
"Thank you very much, captain. May I say that your uniform is really good looking? Equestrian fashion has always been an eye catcher." she strutted from the bridge onto the airship.
"Thank you ma'am." replied the captain, more forced than actually meant.
Amber gem walked across the deck towards Commander Dash, but suddenly she stopped.
right before Swift.
"Oh look at who is there." she positioned herself right in front of him.
Swift didn't move a muscle, looked stubborn, and continued to salute.
"Tell me how did you fare, Swift . You ran away pretty quickly back then. I'm impressed that you're still alive, I have to admit that."
"I do what I can as a soldier." Swift just said.
"Oh come on, we know each other. Don't be so cold to me." she smiled at him, then turned back to her intended destination, towards Rainbow Dash, flicked her tail at Swift, "We'll talk again."
"I hope not, ma'am." Swift replied, which actually made Amber laugh.

"Ah, I should ask if I can take you with me. You are extremely entertaining." she went on, then at Commander Dash she started again: "Ah and there we have her. Commander Rainbow Dash. in pony! May I say how much I admire you, Miss Dash?"
"Save it, we're here for business, not chatting." replied Commander Dash calmly.
"Of course, of course. You have recently captured one of our jamming units. I ask a hundred prisoners against the leader of this group."
"only the leading officer? nopony else?" Rainbow looked at her with a look of doubt.
"Yes, only one officer. You have certainly already taken the others away. Not far enough away that this exchange would be impossible, but further than this one officer who guarantees the safety of this ship." Amber chuckled to herself, "and if he's not available how about a hundred of your soldiers against this sergeant?" she pointed to Swift.
"No way." said Dash and looked at her contemptuously, "Why do you want my sergeant?"
"Oh, I've had fun with him. He's got a strong will, and he would be great by my side if I taught him the necessary manners." She looked at Swift and licked her lips, "I love challenges like him."
"That will not happen." Dash said and nodded to a soldier: "Bring the prisoner."
The soldier saluted and galloped away.

A little later the soldier came back with the captured unicorn.
"Mother?" he asked when he saw Amber. she rolled her eyes.
"We're on duty. Please address me like that." she said with a sigh.
"Yes, ma'am, Sorry ma'am." said the unicorn stallion and came to her with ears flat against his skull.
"That explains a question I've been asking myself all along." Commander Dash said with a knowing grin, "Interesting."
"Yes he is my son. And no, he didn't need my help to get up." Amber said and rolled her eyes, not because of Dash, but because of her son. "But he also seems to have to learn manners again."
"It seems so. He didn't want to talk to me at all." said Commander Dash and accompanied the former prisoner and the enemy commander back to the bridge over which the captured soldiers of Celestia were being brought. Most were in bad shape.
Dash said nothing and monitored it.

Author's Note

Armistices are rare, but they do happen every now and then. up to now this has been observed with every armistice until it officially expired. Something very rare in these uncertain times.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 19

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

on Wings of Steel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

When Swift finally got downstairs, he was amazed. Celestia stood petrified, staring at Applejack. and when Swift could look past her he saw why. The mare was suddenly wearing a necklace in the shape of an apple.
"Oh wow, that's beautiful!" said Applebloom and took a closer look at the necklace, "It looks like your cutiemark!"
Celestia began to shine like the Sun.
Swift could see it out of the corner of his eye.
Her horn lit up briefly and she closed her eyes when she said it: "I can feel the energy. You are the element of honesty! I haven't felt it in a long time." Her magic went to the statue, "The other elements have not yet awakened, but they seem to want to take their place."
"Element of honesty?" Applejack asked confused, "What's going on here?"
Swift looked at Celestia, who nodded, whereupon he explained: "I had a vision. Six mares will each get an element of harmony. And with the help of these six elements we will probably be able to heal Princess Celestia's sister."
Applejack deadpanned, but then started to smile and says, "Ah, I see, you want to fool me. Nice try."
"no, this is not an attempt to fool you. this is the truth." said Celestia, "Tell me what you want. You can have everything, just please, accompany my sergeant and search for the other elements!"
Applejack was speechless, but only for a moment: "Your Majesty, you gave my family the land where we have our farm. Maybe ... I can repay a part of our debt."
"So be it. If you can bring my sister back to me, I'll see the Apple family forever indebted." said Celestia, then looked at Applebloom: "And while Applejack is on the way, we will provide helpers that things continue to run well on your farm. At the expense of the palace, of course."

Swift ran a hoof through his mane.
He had a headache. But only because all of a sudden he had received so much new information about this mission. Apparently a small, fast airship was dispatched to pick up the elements, Applejack and Swift, the Squadron that Swift should have received on the front line was also on the Ship, and a Second Squadron on board the ship was supposed to be the Wounderbolts.
That showed him how important it really was to Celestia.
The apsens of such an important squadron at the front could hardly be justified.
Unless you were a princess ...
and a deity that moves the sun ...
there was also the possibility to use the elements of harmony against sombra,
He felt a hoof at his side, looked and realized it was Applejack, the necklace still on her neck, who said, "do you mind if I sit next to you?"
"no I do not mind." Swift said and made her a little more space to sit down, "At least that suits me. I wanted to talk about the task at hoof anyway. If ... you don't mind."
Applejack smiled and sat down next to him, took a deep breath and looked down at the necklace. "Do I have a choice to come on this crazy mission?"
Swift laughed and said after he had taking in a deep breath: "I already asked myself that question. But by Faust, if it means that we can end the war, I am ready to risk everything I have left."
Applejack gave him an oblique look, "Who is Faust?"
Swift waved off, "Do I explain another time ... and? Can I count on your help?"
"Of course you can. My hope is that Applebloom can grow up in a world without war." Applejack replied with certainty and confidence, but also hope in her voice.
The airship could already be seen on the horizon, and Pegasie from the weather team did everything possible to keep the weather in check around the airship.

Commander Rainbow Dash landed in front of Swift. Her left wing was now also a prosthesis, but made more elegant and it looked so nice and light.
Swift saluted, "Ma'am. I see Electric and Twilight made good use of the time. Nice to see them back in the air."
"Carry on, sergeant." said Commander Dash, and returned the salute briefly. "Yes, both of them did a great job. Electric said I owe that to you. You gave her a very good tip."
"Nothing that the two of them wouldn't have thought of alone." Swift said and went ahead, "Commander, how far has Princess Celestia initiated you and the others in the company? Who can I discuss the mission with?"
Commander Dash was about to answer something when there was a loud: "Swift!" to hear.
When Swift turned around, he was almost knocked over by a blurry orange lightning bolt: "What do I have to hear? You messed with timber wolves alone? Are you crazy?" she turned him around, "Let me see your wings. Princess Celestia said she saw you using them to keep the mouth of one of these beasts open." she gaspe, "Oh no, dents everywhere!"
Commander Dash chuckled at the sight, and said: "I'll go ahead. You two make it out between the two of you."

When Commander Dash was gone, Swift said with a small smile, "I missed you too, Electric. Tell me, how were you? I wasn't away that long, but as I saw you built a new wing for the Commander."
"That was easy. It was another prototype, and only parts had to be removed. And since Rainbow was already at the doctor's because of the nerve connections, it went quickly. Even if I think it's too fast." She looked after the cyan blue mare worried, "No tests, no test runs, just screwed it on and off into the air. It is astonishing, but also questionable."
"She is a soldier. Her place is with her comrades at the front. I would have reacted the same if more of my squadron had survived."
Electric couldn't help but hug him, but was interrupted when a bright light came from the direction Commander Dash had gone.

Swift had seen this before and galloped to the chamber with the elements. When he got there he saw Commander Dash wearing a necklace similar to Applejack. she looked down at herself in amazement, looked at the necklace, then at Swift
"sergeant, can you explain that to me?"
Swift looked at you with wide eyes and said: "Commander ... you are an element of harmony. That means we have already found two out of six!" he started smiling, "Thank you Destiny! Thank you very much!"
"What's going on here?" asked Applejack, who now came running too, closely followed by Twilight sparkle.
"Have we already found another element?" Twilight asked joyfully, but was asked to be silent by Commander Dash, who pointed to Electric with her hoof.
"Oh right, sorry." Twilight sheepishly apologized.
"Oh, I'm the one who shouldn't know what's going on here?" Electric asked with an offended look on her face.
"I'm sorry, Electric. I like you very much," Commander Dash began, "but we have orders that came from Celestia personally. If it were up to me I would do some other things, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way."
"I will send a letter to Princess Celestia if you wish. I could ask if you can be let in on the secret. She showed me a spell with which my letters can be sent directly to her."
"That would be nice." Swift said with a smile, "After everything Electric has done for Commander Dash and me, it would be unfair if she was only partially involved in the mission."
Commander Dash nodded in agreement, then looked at Electric, "But until this point I have to ask you to leave. Please, believe me that I see it similar to the sergeant, but orders are orders."

after Electric left, Commander Dash turned to those who remained. "Okay, apparently I'm also an element of harmony. That surprises me as much as everyone else. But as sergeant Swift said, it helps us a bit. To come back to the question from earlier: initiated into this secret mission are just a few officers of the airship, and here we are, and only the elements may be initiated when we find them. " She looked at Swift, "sergeant, your squadron is on the airship. Our squadrons will work closely together. The student Twilight Sparkle here is our advisor on magic, and as she said, sends and receives letters direct from Princess Celestia. It's all already prepared. But ... "
she looked at each one in turn, "we have no direction."

The elements were brought to the airship where another surprise awaited Swift. The yellow Pegasus mare from the hospital had been assigned to the ship's doctors because she was one of the most capable. And another surprise awaited everyone when she was dragged to the elements.
"Do not touch!" Twilight exclaimed enthusiastically, "This is wonderful! I can use this to find out how we can look for the other three elements!"
Her magic went over the stones, especially over the one who reacted, over the mare who tried to hide behind her mane.
Swift noticed this and walked next to her, asked, "The world's small, isn't it?" he smiled openly.
"Oh dear."she said and looked unsure.

A little later they all met for a chat in a conference room. Fluttershy, as everyone was introduced to her, was the third element they had found.
"With the speed we will be finish our task tomorrow." Rainbow Dash said with a grim grin.
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy." Twilight said and began to write an equation on a whiteboard, "According to my calculations, the three other elements are quite far away. The spheres that contain the elements are easily drawn to the respective mares they get. However, I can't say how far they are away. We only have a direction. Theoretically, it would be possible to triangulate the position, but that takes some time because we have to fly quite a long way. Even then, it is uncertain how exactly we can determine the position. After all, the mares can move freely. "
She drew two lines on a map.
"One sphere is drawn roughly in this direction, the other in this one. The third sphere has not yet shown any movement. Princess Celestia believes that this is the element of magic."
Everyone present looked at the lines. One led roughly in the direction of Manehatten, the other would, if one led it further, exactly north, to the front.

"Attention, an announcement to everypony. Our next destination is east. Get ready for a long flight, we won't stop anytime soon." came the captain's voice from the PA system.
"Hey Swift!" called Electric, "come here!" Swift looked at her, raised an eyebrow, and followed her. She led him into the machine room.
"Look at this!" she said enthusiastically.
Swift looked at the machine, cocked his head, and read the badge. "EPS 001 version 1 ... what does that mean?" asked he.
"That, my favorite pegasus, is the same one that is in your wings, only bigger. This is the propulsion system that guides and distributes the Pegasus magic through your wings. In other words, this ship can reach unimagined speeds and even lose all of its buoyancy tanks without crash! "
"Impressive. Very impressive." Swift said with a smile, "Then the E at EPS stands for Electric, hmm? It's your patent after all."
"Correct!" she beamed
"Let's celebrate. Would you like to come to the canteen? I wanted to finally get to know my squadron." suggested Swift, "I'll pay"

A surprise awaited Swift in the canteen. The squadron assigned to him had a bat pony. Something rarer that Swift had never seen in person.
He sat down with Electric at the table that the squadron had claimed for themselves after they had fetched dinner.
"So." he began as he began to eat, "I'm sergeant Swift Specter. This squadron is under my command now and," he looked up briefly and smiled, "would like to meet you all."
The squadron remained silent, staring at him.
"Since when has an earth pony been given command of a flight squadron? And these wings ... are they screwed on?" everyone started laughing.
Electric was about to get up and say a few ugly things when Swift put his hoof on her shoulder.
With another movement, and after she had calmed down a little, Swift indicated his badge of rank.
"You talk to a superior officer. If I were to take the whole thing seriously, I would immediately have you thrown into the brig. But since I understand fun, I think that you do 50 laps around the airship followed by 50 push-ups. Any objections ? "
A Squadron mare was about to say something when Swift pointed to her, "One hundred push-ups for you."
Everyone remained silent and looked at each other in confusion until Swift raised his voice, "It seems like I'm not being taken seriously here." He got up, but everyone in the squadron went off to meet on the deck outside. Electric followed him and looked at him questioningly.
"Sometimes you have to show dominance. I hope I don't have to do that too often. That would be a bit annoying. With a little luck, this is the one and only time today."

He stood in front of the Squadron and called out: "ATTENTION!"
The Squadron immediately came to attention, eyes straight.
Swift paced up and down and said, "I know that we all met on the wrong foot. But I see it very critically if you call me earth pony, because I don't have the ability or the stamina of them." he spread his wings, "I am a Pegasus. Even if I lost my wings in battle!"
Swift stopped in front of the mare he had previously prevented from doing push-ups.
She had a green and yellow mane, her coat was a light blue. "You. What's your name, specialist." he asked her
"Sir, my name is Sharp Wing, sir." she saluted.
"Well then, Specialist Sharp. If you finish the fifty laps around the ship first, you will be spared the fifty extra push-ups." said Swift with a grin.
He went on, "Squadron. Prepare. Ready. Go!"
The pegasie and the bat-pony took off.

On lap 43, Commander Rainbow Dash came and sat next to Swift.
"sergeant Swift. How is the Squadron doing?" she watched the ponies that had just finished the round
"Very well. I think I'll let them off the hook after the training flight and give them some R&R." Swift said, leaning back, "If I had known how good it felt to be on command, I would have tried much earlier." He was beaming.
"Careful, sergeant, the job also has its downsides." Commander Dash warned softly, "The one thing that is out of control ... the enemy can always come and grab one of your wingponies. And before you know it, you're alone, behind enemy line, wedged the wing under a rock and the enemy came closer."
Swift shuddered, "or watch the whole squadron die around you and for some reason be one of the few survivors."
"We both have our stories." said Commander Dash, then hit him on the shoulder, "But we'll get through that together, won't we, sergeant?"
"Yes, ma'am. You can rely on me." Swift replied with a small smile
Electric joined them and also looked up. "And? Can I at least listen here or is that also top secret?" she sounded a little ... angry. Swift chuckled, then opened his wing and put it around Electric, who looked up in surprise. "I think you already know where it's going. You were in the workshop when I said it for the first time."
Electric looked down, but then nodded.

After a while the Pegasie and the Batpony landed back on the airship, a little out of breath but still quite fit.
"Very good work." , Swift announced, "I'll give you the push-ups. Take a rest, we'll be getting pretty close to the front lines in a little while. And it's getting dark too."
"I'll take over the night watch." said the Batpony and turned back, ready to take off. With a flap of his wings the bat pony was back in the air and flew a little ahead, a weak light on the rear hoof indicated where he was.
"Don't worry, sergeant. He's always been a bit ... grumpy." said Sharp Wings, "and thank you for allowing us to rest."
"I think you understood that I'm sensitive to insulting Earth ponies. It was my fault that I lost my wings, not theirs."
With a raised eyebrow, Sharp headed for the cabin, presumably to rest.

After midnight
Swift was sound asleep when another dream struck him.
"Destiny? Are you there?" he asked in the dream. Clocks were lying around everywhere that melted, when he went up the stairs he came out somewhere on the wall.
"What a strange dream ..." Swift said and continued to look around when a dark figure appeared in front of him.
This felt different, more like a danger than anything else.
And before he knew it, he saw a black Alicorn before him. "My name is Nightmare Moon. I'm here for the eternal night!" she stepped up to Swift, "and I heard you are about to ruin my plan. I'll take something from you for that." Suddenly Electric appeared, carried by a fog to this nightmare.
"Swift please! Save me!" Electric shouted desperately
"Electric!" Swift just called back and tried to run, but the ground wouldn't let him. This floor was sticky and barely allowed him to walk. Then the mist twisted and turned around Electric and blood came out of her eyes and mouth, as well as a wet gag, followed by more blood.
Swift woke up from the nightmare. He had wet eyes, probably tears. his pillow was wet with tears too. He was breathing heavily and was wet with sweat everywhere. Water was strictly rationed on this airship, so he couldn't just take a shower. But he could no longer sleep either.
Maybe, thought Swift, a little scenic flight? get his mind free again?

As quietly as he could, Swift crept onto the upper deck. He didn't want to wake anypony. Also, as quietly as possible, he rises into the air and waved to the observation tower. These ponies needed to know where he was, even if he was just flying on the side of the ship. If something happen while he was flying, he wouldn't just go "missing in action".

Author's Note

Airships

Airships were used as an alternative to trains at the beginning of the war against Sombras Crystal Empire, as they can move large quantities of goods quickly and easily, but they also have their disadvantages. They are hard to hide, and the Pegasus Pattoulien are quite effective at distracting individual airships for a long time until an allied airship shows up and can fire the enemy.
A relatively new Trent is to use airships as carrier ships for squadrons at Pegasie, since the preferred armament of many captains are unicorns, who can use their magic shields and various combat spells to summon. Earth ponies have been stationed on these ships since the beginning of the war. They mostly operate the engines, repair and sometimes fight with crossbows mounted on the deck. Should the ship ever be captured by enemy troops, it is the task of every soldier on board to render the ship unusable.