The Mystery of the Iron Bird Festival

A little respite for Kramarenko came out cozy and calm, as if there were no talking colored ponies nearby. But it couldn't go on forever. There will come a moment of abrupt decisions and instant actions, which you will have to regret later.

Before starting, the pilot nodded gratefully for the good-natured hospitality of the hostesses, put the cup on the floor and pulled out clean sheets and a blurred pencil. The white pony used her cloud of magic again to take them, but then put them aside. Before there is a misunderstanding on the person's face, a yellow cloud began to form into figures. A large bird (more like an airplane than real birds), covered with numerous wounds, fell down like a stone. Before she reached the floor, a ball with a man inside separated from her.

Pony's version of events. Good.

After waiting for an affirmative nod, the mare continued. Now two ponies have appeared, presumably themselves. Standing in a respectful bow in front of the bird-MIG, behind which flew jets of fire, arrows. The wings and body of the car served as a shield for two ponies, which, apparently, were hiding from the horror of the war. Other planes appeared, rushing at the invisible enemy. The firing of cannons was also transmitted quite plausibly. As soon as the fight ended, the birds flew up to the heavens and the bright Sun. After disappearing, the ponies found themselves with a calendar rapidly counting down the days, months, and years.

"Having won the battle against the fire-breathing lizards, we were able to return back. The time of this world is very different from ours. I would never have thought that we are the messengers of Heaven." The captain mentally chuckled, but he did not show it, for fear of giving a false impression to these two.

And so, after a long time, a man grew up between them. Now their wings were hidden from danger and pain, their bodies served as a shield.

Now everything makes sense.

A short, but therefore no less important, conclusion left an incomprehensible feeling. On the one hand, happiness that they will not leave in trouble, and on the other ... — Who am I now?

I didn't have time to digest this part of the "conversation", as they got up and called for me. Following them, the man walked to an inconspicuous, at first glance, arch. Suddenly they stopped and cleared a passage in front of massive doors decorated with mysterious writings and signs associated with the pilot to one degree or another.

Having clearly expressed with a glance that Kramarenko should open himself, they remained standing waiting. Without tormenting his mild curiosity, the pilot pushed the doors and they obediently opened, revealing a view of a stone staircase illuminated by lights of unknown origin.

Carefully descending, the pilot of the downed MiG, out of habit, put his hand on his pistol holster. There was another door in front of him, but without a carving. Taking a deep breath and releasing heavy thoughts along with the air, he opened the last barrier to another mystery of this world…

***

"Twilly, are you all right?"

Worried friends rushed to Canterlot as fast as they could. The lavender Princess was trembling slightly and breathing fast. At first, she didn't even notice the five mares that appeared in the throne room. But when Twilight was able to focus on them, a forced smile lit up her face.

"Thank you for being able to drop everything. It is very important." she was silent for a couple of moments, pondering something, and then in one breath blurted out, "I need your help! An ancient evil has come to Equestria and I cannot cope alone."

With bated breath, the former bearers of the elements of harmony were preparing to learn another threat to their calm Equestria.

"It is a hairless creature on two legs, calling itself the great Mission of the Iron Birds."what came out of her mouth turned out to be completely different. She didn't want to say that!

"Iron Birds? Is this from that fairy tale for little pegasus?" Rainbow Dash, the best flyer, spoke doubtfully.

"It's true! And the ruthless messenger of the dark forces is already preparing his death blow!" Twilight continued to talk nonsense.

Biting her lip, Applejack expressed concern:

"Sugar… It seems very strange to me. Maybe you went overboard with reading legends and coffee again? Until today, you said the same thing about aliens from the stars dancing to a magic flute. I'm sorry, but your words don't inspire much confidence..."

"I agree with Applejack."Fluttershy was quiet and laconic as always.

The rest just nodded as a sign that they did not support the idea of looking for some mythical creature from a fairy tale.

With a disappointed sigh, lavender alicorn replied:

"Yes, girls, maybe you're right... ancient legends are a real addiction for me. It is difficult to give up the search for new knowledge and answers. I'm sorry."

After exchanging glances, all five mares rushed to hug their friend, saying all sorts of encouraging words. They sincerely believed that their princess was a little carried away, not even knowing the real Evil that lurked inside the pony.

***

Kramarenko was standing on the podium, and in front of him, a couple of dozen creatures of all colors and stripes bowed to the ground in a pious bow. Some of them he recognized immediately, such as ponies, griffins and zebras, and the rest he could only guess. They all wore gray cloaks, like Lyra's. By the way, she was there too.

Looking down, the pilot said in a low voice:

"Good evening," and then he remembered that no one would understand him and fell silent.

But this was enough for the fans to rise as one with their heads proudly raised and sparkling happy eyes.

The familiar blue and white ponies came up. The people did not stint and bow to them. Speaking in an angelic voice, the blue mare addressed someone from the crowd. Immediately, several ponies came out of the hall. And when they returned, they carried with them a chain mail and a sword. Having accepted the gifts, the blue pony unfolded the chain mail with its magical cloud. It glittered silver, as did the sword decorated with secret runes. Kramarenko did not resist when ponyasha began to dress him in defense of the Middle Ages.

It turned out to be not so heavy, and it sits as if poured in. — a resident of the twentieth century admired the skill of the blacksmiths of the fairy-tale world.

Then it was the turn of the weapon. Putting the deadly weapon into hands that didn't even know how to handle it, she retreated a few steps. Standing in this form and not fully understanding the motives of the pony, an elegant leather scabbard with an embroidered bird instantly floated up to the pilot.

Logically speaking, they are waiting for some action with a sword. Now we have to decide whether to raise it, symbolizing war, readiness to fight, or to put it in the scabbard, talking about peace, not readiness for the campaign.

Slowly, acting in front of the audience, the pilot inserted the sword, a weapon bearing death and pain, into the scabbard, but did not remove his hand from the hilt.

The war in Korea is enough for me. I will not become a knight of this world. It's better to solve it in peace, if it's possible.

Accepting the sign, the crowd bowed their heads, respecting the decision of the Son of the Iron Bird.