It had been a few weeks after Operation Bullseyes, yet the intelligence agency haven't receive anything on Steel Jaw's movements yet. Usually when this kind of stuff happens, it only means one thing, Steel Jaw is planning something big. But this is just a suspect, they haven't even caught his new location yet.

As for Lance and Chrysalis's relationship, after that night's 'event', both decides to keep it a secret still, at least until Steel Jaw is confirmed dead, so none of them would be his target. A few days later, a new recruit came to Mage Squadron, as Quick Slash's replacement; he's surprisingly, a dragon. 23 year-old Magma, he used to serve the Dragon Air Force's 'Draken' multi-role combat squadron, but after an incident which he wasn't comfortable enough to talk about it, he quitted. But after he heard that a replacement is needed at the RCAF, Magma couldn't stop the feeling of taking off again; so he volunteered. As the result Magma is now officially a new member of the RCAF fighter squadron 'Mage', callsign will be naming after Quick Slash.

The Equestrians had also heard of the test flights of the newest RCAF aircrafts, and deeply intrigued by it. Princess Twilight Sparkle then went on a meeting with Queen Chrysalis, planning on sending a squadron of Equestrian Volunteer Air Combat Squadron as reinforcement for the War against Steel Jaw and his minions. Yes, a few days ago, after the raid on Steel Jaw's HQ, the Changelings declared war upon Steel Jaw, which Steel Jaw himself also revealed and send them a video. Finally, everything became clear; Steel Jaw's forces are called Purifiers instead of Unchanged, and that he also threatened the RCAF about their newest combat aircraft. But that was weeks ago, and the military haven't heard or seen him since then.

Anyway, put that aside, Lance and Magma set off to the RCAF Aircraft Testing Airfield. In teh transport truck, both pilot chatted about their past, Magma was greatly intersected about the RAF, he was amazed when Lance mentioned him about the fifth generation stealth fighters, he heard rumors about the Equestrians planning to build their own stealth fighter as well.

"So the Dragons uses Second Generation fighters? Why not try to purchase some advanced fourth generation fighters from the Equestrians?" Lance suggested, "You do realize that Equestrian's already started manufacturing their F-22 Stealth Fighters, plus they're already in service."

"Wait what?! Already?!" Magma's eyes widened, "Aw shit."

"What's the closest country to the Dragon Land?" Lance asked.

"Well there's three actually," Magma say das he counted his claws, "The Changelings, but you guys are busy enough already; Badlands, they're struggling to keep up, nope; then that left us with the Kirin."

"Correct, remember a few days ago, when the Kirins did their Victory Parade at their capital city? I got some footage of that, check this out." Lance said as he took out his phone and played the video recordings of the air show by the Kirins.

"You see those jets over there? Twin-engine, heavy fighter, fourth generation? That's the Kirin's newest fighter; J-11B Flanker-X. They got teh ideas from Steel Jaw's Su-27. I already made contact with their leader, they'll sent in a J-11B to be tested. If everything goes well, then congratulations, you got your country a new plane."

Lance could swear he saw stars shimmering in Magma's eyes--- Hold it, doesn't everyone does that in this world? Magic? Lance shrugged as the truck came to a stop. Outside is a large airbase, surrounded by a valley, and if you go more further out, then it'd be the Badlands. Well protected by the natural landscape, plus hardly anypony else except for Lance, Magma, and Chrysalis knows this location. Black Tempest is in the largest hanger to teh right, along side with the J-11B.

Lance gazed upon the first Mirage 2000 of the RCAF, it was painted dark gray, the nickname 'Black Tempest' painted next to its nose, it wasn't armed, but the Black Tempest is capable of carrying large amount of air to air, air to ground, anti-ships, and other weapons. Right next to the Black Tempest is a large fighter jet that looked very alike to Steel Jaw's Su-27; but it wasn't, that's the Kirin's J-11B Flanker-X.

"Larger than I thought, I take that we can ship it back to dragon land?" Magma asked, "Lord Ember would love to meet our new member of our Air Force."

"Indeed, this Flanker-X will be taken apart, placed in a C-5 Galaxy, and sent it home." Lance said as he shook hands/claws with the dragon pilot, "And also, welcome to the team."

This Mirage 2000, or to be specific, type D, is twin seated, although the single seated were the first to be produced. Magma and Lance, with full gears on, climbed into the cockpits as Lance closed the canopy. The ground staffs checked the engine and the fuel tanks, they gave Lance a thumbs up, that's he's signal. The human pilot slowly slid 'Black Tempest' along the runway, towards the airfield. Once he reached teh stopping point, Lance checked the air brakes, flaps, wings, and the system.

"Mage 1 to *Nest*, Black Tempest is fired up and ready to fly, waiting for permission." Lance said, using his squadron callsign.

"Nest to Mage 1, runway is clear, permission granted, you can now light the engine." Came the flight tower's response.

Lance clicked the switch, then the engine, as he slowly pushed the air speed valve to 20 percent, the fighter jet started to slowly slide forward, as Lance pushed the valve further. Air around the engine cooked as heated gases were shot out, it slowly got louder and brighter as the after-burner is activated. Now the Mirage 2000 is dashing madly off the runway, its nose pointed upward. Once the air speed went passed 200, Lance pulled the operating lever back, as Black Tempest's landing gears suddenly took off the ground.

His heart is racing, the first Mirage 2000 of the RCAF is now airborne, it'll be forever recorded in the history of Changeling Military, little does he know, that many years later, Black Tempest would be a legendary item to the Museum of History and Military of Equestria.

Those are for the future.

Right now, Black Tempest is currently flying 3,000 feet above the ground, the first stage, which is the take off, is completed. Now for the second stage; maneuverability.

"Mage 1 to Nest, maneuverability test begins now." Lance called the flight tower making sure that they're recording using the advanced camera that has been placed to an age where Black Tempest would be visible.

Lance then began the maneuverability test; rolls, break, barrel roll, High-sides guns pass, Immelmann turn, Wingover, high yo-yo, Lag displacement roll, high-G barrel roll, and other badass maneuvers that could be used in air shows or in combat.

All this time, Magma was quiet, the entire time. That's what a experienced pilot would do, enjoying the maneuvers, plus this Mirage 2000 ride is getting into him. Finally, Black Tempest, the first Mirage 2000 but by the RCAf, has passed all its tests, and now ready to enter service. This is needed fast, because the Intelligence agency just caught movements from Purifiers again, according to military satellites (yes they do have the technologies to reach space). However, there's still no sign of their newest aircraft X-02S, but their entire Air Force is scrambling, most likely for gaining air superiority, most of their jets were fighters, two AWACS, and a group of fighter-bombers.

Purifier Air Force base

"Operation Overlord is clear, due to the combat we had with the RCAF last time, we've acknowledged that a human is fighting alongside with them, new aircrafts are mostly likely to be introduced. Teh fighter-bombers would be heading to their factories, with escorts, while the fighter squadrons, under the lead of Scream and Rage, would be intercepting their main fighter forces." Steel Jaw said with a map opened in front of the briefing table. By his sides were two Purifier twins; no-one remember their real name, they just called them Rage and Scream. Rage is the older brother, experienced and cold-blooded, Scream, the younger brother, is bad-tempered, aggressive, and extremely violence. They swore their extreme loyalty to Steel Jaws, due to the fact that he saved the twins during the civil war years ago.

"Boys, especially to you, Scream, look out for this one particular fighter jet, with three strikes. This one is what shot down most of our jets form the last encounter, and the one who nearly shot me down as well. Find Three Strikes, and eliminate him. Scream, Three Striek is good, use your brain out there." Steel Jaw said as he placed a photo of a F-35 with Three Strikes on its left tail he took during his last combat.

"Ugh! Just get on with the fight already, my blood is boilin!" Scream grunted as he took the photo from Steel Jaw's hooves and went straight towards his Su-47. Rage sighed, doing the same thing.

Steel Jaw then placed his helmet on, climbed into his Su-30SM with red wing-tips, number '13' is bright enough to be noticed. "You intrigued me, Lance Wilson, and I'll end you with my own hooves if I need to."

Steel Jaw entered his fighter jet, as Red 13 took off...

(Yup, Red 13 is officially Steel Jaw's callsign!)

Author's Note

(The Chinese PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) J-11b Flanker-X; Or in this story, it's the Kirin Air Force's)

*Examples of Second Generation Fighters are listed; Mig-23, J-8II, Mig-21, F-4 Phantom, etc. As you can see, those are really old fighter jets which were pretty much all retired by now, although some small countries are still using them.*

*Nest usually means control or flight tower.*