Chapters ,
The Last Flight
Chapter one
She stood at the gate and looked at the airfield that was bustling with life. Planes coming home and planes going out. But she was there for one pegasus. She watched as a squadron of heavily damaged B-25's came in from their bombing run. She knew that this was what her Marefriend wanted and she did what she could to try to stop her, but it was to no avail. Dash signed up to the Air force regardless of what she said. After Dash told her the news that she joined, she broke down on the inside, but showed none of it only a mere smile was presented on her face as Dash told her. But later that night she cried herself to sleep thinking that, one day Dash might not come home. It pained her to think like that but, Dash was a good pilot and she wouldn’t go down without a fight. Her crew was great and they were all close friends and she knew them well. She recognized Spitfire the co-pilot, and Derpy the in-flight mechanic. But the three gunners, and the targeting pony she really didn’t know well. But they mostly kept to themselves and followed Dashs order`s.
She started walking into the office where all the missions where planned and talked the first pony she saw. "scuse me sir but are you the head Marshal." She asked the Pony in the green uniform standing at a table looking at a map. He turned to her and spoke "Yes mam what can I help you with"
"Well ya see mah friend is going on a mission in about an hour and I wanted to talk to her before she left. Her name is Rainbow Dash do you know where I can find her?"
"Yes mam she’s on the tarmac checking her bomber. Go out and look for hanger 7"
She got excited "Thank you sir"
After that she practically darted out of the room towards the airstrip. She looked at the many hanger`s and went down the line. Hanger 1, Hanger 2 Hanger, 3 ... and so on until she got to hanger seven. There was a single bomber sitting on the runway and she saw the feet of a Sky blue Pegasus, who was working on her bomber, and she ran over to her. Only then did she notice what was painted on the side of the Plane. It was her on her side you could see her back and the side of her face. She got annoyed when she saw what was painted on the plane "Hot Plot" She ignored it and spoke to Rainbow Dash.
"Aye Rainbow" The blue Pegasus stopped what she was working on and ran over to her. She was hit with a big hug and a smiling face. "Applejack” she said happily.
"whatcha doin here?"
"I knew you were headed out and i wanted to say good luck."
"Aw Thank`s hun. Appreciate it" She looked at Derpy who was lying on top of the cockpit. "DERPY" The grey pony jumped and nearly fell of the rounded cockpit. "Oh sorry boss just taken a nap"
"no time for that we leave in 30 minutes Check our fuel and coolant systems make sure there Alright I don’t want the same problem as last time. Oh and please fix my damn fuel meter on the dashboard it won’t work right and I don’t want it to be a real problem when we go out. Oh and get that damned clothesline off the gun.
"Gotcha" She went to get the clothesline off then, she hoped down and climbed inside the plane. As derpy did that she turned back to Applejack
"Well I am happy to see ya how’s everything going on the farm and such" She went back to the Landing gear she was working on and spoke to her as she did.
"Well its going Great actually Nothings happening" She said to her mare friend.
"How’s the family y`know Apple bloom and Big mac" Rainbow asked.
"Their okay doing swell actually Apple Bloom is just starting her 3rd year of Elementary school she getting bigger every day and Big mac oh he`s just working the farm like always. But I want to know what you have been up to."
Dash hesitated. "Not much just getting orders and following them. We go on bombing missions every two days or so but after this one i get a two week break and I am going to spend every bit of it with you." as she worked she smiled excited for the break she’s getting. "Only problem with this mission is that were going straight towards on of their factory sectors and it get`s pretty hectic over in that section. But don’t worry no one can bring me and my crew down."
She smiled and finished her work. Her hoofs were covered in grease from the landing gears hydraulic`s.
"Speaking of crew" A pony’s voice came from behind Applejack and made her jump a little. She turned to face spitfire
"Howdy Spitfire" Applejack said
"Hey how’s it going " She asked the both of them
"Good" the both of them replied.
"Oh spitfire i need you to help derpy with the fuel meter on the dashboard it’s not working right and i need it ready for the mission."
"Gotcha dash Im on it plus Derpy needs to work on our Electrical wiring the last two missions my instruments were messed up and I need that fixed so ill tell her that." She spoke as she climbed into the plane. A few minutes later the three gunner`s came up followed by the targeting pony they were all laughing and chatting to each other.
"yo Rainbow. When do we hit the skie`s?" One of them spoke excited.
"ten minutes buddy go check your guns and get ready for takeoff. Oh I need the top turret and bottom turret to make sure they have enough ammo were going head on into their factory sectors and their planes are everywhere there."
"Gotcha" The gunner`s climbed in and Applejack saw movement in the ball-shaped turret on the top of the plane. Then the front gunner was sitting in his seat checking his turret. She spoke worried
"gee Dash this mission sound`s worse than the others you usually go on"
"nah we will be fine okay" She turned and smiled at the orange pony
“I Promise I will be coming home" Applejack smiled, went over to dash and gave her a hug. "okay but I will not be happy if something happen`s to you"
Dash kissed her cheek and smiled.
"We should be back in 5 hours okay wait for me here okay. But now we have to get in the air Love you applejack" She spoke as she climbed in. Applejack backed away as the plane roared to life and Dash looked at her from the cockpit. She spoke but the engines were too loud for anything to be heard. But dash saw what she said and smiled the five words made her confident and happy. The four words "I love you too Dashie". Applejack saw as the plane went over to the long runway and got into the back of the column of bombers. They went off one at a time and she saw Dashs Bomber Take off. A tear rolled down her face as she walked off the tarmac. She just hoped that Dash would come back.
Chapter two
The plane rocked as Dash pulled up. She looked at the dashboard and made sure everything was okay. Spitfire was checking all the Equipment and systems she flicked some switches.
"Hey take over I’m going to check on the other guys" She said trusting her co-pilot. She left her seat and went back into the depths of the plane. She saw Derpy checking their payload they had 20 500 pound bombs ready to drop on their target`s. The targeting pony was next to her. She walked past the two and went to the under turret. She spoke to the gunner who was sitting in his seat watching the airfield get smaller and smaller. She popped her head in threw the hatch.
"Hey how ya doing back here"
He spoke not turning his head just kept watching from his turret. “Good just thinking about everything that might happen"
She encouraged him "well keep those thought`s positive were all going home today."
He smiled and turned to her "thanks capn"
She got up, and walked back to the cockpit. She stopped when she saw the grey pony looking through their storage compartments. Derpy was now checking their fuel canisters.
"hey Derp`s we have enough fuel to get back after we drop our payload"
"yupp all of these are filled with fuel so we should."
"Okay stay safe" She went back to the cockpit and sat down and leaned back.
"Okay put it on auto pilot and let’s lay back for an hour." Spitfire Smiled and nodded in agreement she flicked a few switches after that she leaned back and took a nap. Dash looked at the three pictures on the dashboard and smiled, The first picture she focused on was Applejack`s. It was a picture of her head without her hat. Her blonde mane went over her shoulder and she had a small smile. The next one was a picture of Flutter Shy her best friend. The shy Pegasus was sitting and had he. head dropped but she was smiling and her eyes seemed to be looking at you from the picture. Her pink mane was going over her left eye. Dash looked at the last one. It was of all her best friendss and some other ponies too. Her best friendss Twilight, Rarity, Pinky pie, Fluttershy, and Apple Jack were all standing around each other in a semi-circle. Other ponies in the picture included Scootaloo who was in front of Flutter Shy, Apple bloom who was in front of her older sister, And Sweetie bell who was on Rarity’s back. She kept smiling and the radio crackled.
"Bomber leader come in this is escort 573 reporting. I’m here with some of my buddies and were ready to take you to hell and back." Soarin the ace of the air force. She laughed at what he said and picked up the radio.
"I read you escort 573 we are here and sittin mighty fine I’m glad you guys could tag along and help us on this little mission of ours."
He knew who she was and he flew his P-51 to her bomber and waved smiling. "Okay Dash it’s nice to be here were about twenty minutes out. Make sure your payloads are ready and set okay. We can’t have you missing any of their precious factory’s."
She waved back. "Psh miss I never miss my target Soarin you know that. But gotcha I’ll tell the rest of the group."
He switched his radio connection to his squadron of pilot`s and dash did the same and spoke to her bomber group.
"Okay guy`s we are twenty minutes out let’s get into formation and get our payload ready to drop."
She got a Roger and O.K from the other bomber crew`s and she took lead bomber in the formation.
She went back to Soarin radio channel. "Yo Soarin I’ve heard these guys like to get tricky. Some of the other pilots said they send a group to get the escort to follow and a second comes in and takes out the bomber`s. So i need you to stick with us the whole way through."
"Gotcha Dash don’t worry we aren’t going anywhere."
"Roger" She clicked off the radio and woke up spitfire.
"Hey were a few minutes out I need you up and ready."
"Gotcha Dash" Spitfire said with a tired tone.
Dash saw movement in the sky about 10 enemy plane`s headed their way.
"Hey look out we have enemy plane guys get ready." They all got ready, gunner`s were ready to fire on command, and take out any enemy’s that shot at them.
The enemy group passed dash watched them and turned to Soarin. He looked over to her and smiled. The next wave came and opened fire on the bombers. She looked to the left and saw two of her bombers go down. The radio filled with screams of the pilots that were going down. She kept going and told her crew to open fire. She heard the guns chatter almost immediately. Soarin had pulled off by then and was going after one of the planes that was attacking the bomber`s. Then Dash saw a grey plane coming at her three O clock. She yelled
"Bogie at our three take care of him boys." The gunners swiveled around and started firing. The plane got some shots off before it burst into flames. She asked her crew. "Everyone okay"
They all replied with a yes or a yup. Dash opened the bomb bay doors and the bombers who saw her did the same. The targeting pony was looking threw his scope to find the target. He saw it and yelled "DROP" Dash hit the release button and the bombes dropped. The other bombers did as well and the. Pony said " We gotem those factories are as good as gone."
He was about to speak again when a plane came at their five clock and opened fire on the fuselage. The bullets went through the metal plating and threw the ponies’ chest he was dead in seconds. Derpy had gone next to him.
She said with a sad tone "He’s gone" The Targeting pony was dead and the plane had been damaged. Dash grew angry she hadn’t lost a single member of her crew since she started. She spoke into the radio after all the bombs finished dropping.
"Okay boys lets head ho- " She was cut short by a trail of bullets that had come through the cockpit one hit her in the lower body, the other in her leg, and she screamed and bent over covering the wound. Spitfire pushed her back in her seat and looked at the damaged. It went straight threw but blood was pouring from the wounds. She yelled for Derpy
"DERPY GET OVER HERE DASH IS HIT I NEED TO GET US HOME" Spitfire took control of the bomber as dash lay in her seat, the pain was excruciating. Derpy was next to her and she looked at the worried. She put pressure on the wound near her chest. as you should do with more important wound`s and tried to keep it from bleeding. Dash closed her eyes trying to think of something that would block the pain. She felt the bomber turn and go back into the direction they came.
She opened her eyess and looked at the glass screen in front of her. There were a few bullet holess and some blood that splattered from her wound. She looked at the picturess taped to the dashboard. Applejackss had blood on the corner of it and Flutter Shy’s was half drenched in it. The rest of the dashboard had her blood splattered on it. Her lower body Ached and screamed with pain. The enemy planess had pulled off they had lost 7 of the 20 original bomberss. Soarin pulled up next to dashs plane his jaw dropped when he saw the blood on the glass. Dash looked over to him. She put her bloody hoof on the window. He saw his mouth move "you’re going to be okay Dash" she couldn’t here it but she could read lips. She shook her head no slowly and looked forward. They were an hour out without any medical supplies on the plane. She knew she wouldn’t make it. She laid back and closed her eyes.
Chapter three
Applejack couldn’t sit still. It had been five hours and the bombers that Dash had led hadn’t come back she stood at hanger seven and scanned the sky for any sign of the Bomber squad. But nothing came she got worried and started pacing. Her friends had to stop her from doing so. Flutter Shy stopped her pacing after it had been going on for about 10 minute`s she two was worried about Dash who might not come home. She held Applejack next to her and spoke softly.
"Don’t worry Applejack she’s going to come home okay." She said Flutter Shy wasn’t good at talking to other ponies in general but when it came to helping them or comforting them she was always on the case.
Applejack responded.
"But what if she doesn’t come home... “She was scared she knew that this war took no prisoners It was ruthless out there on the field. She looked out and saw one bomber come back she hoped out of Flutter Shy’s comforting hold and looked and the bomber returning. It was Damaged badly its engine was smoking and when it hit the tarmac the landing gear gave out and it skidded across the runway. It eventually skidded off to the left and off the runway. It caught fire and Applejack saw the bomber crew get out from were ever they could. She looked at the side of the plane and the painting on it. She saw a skull with guns behind it. It wasn’t Dashs bomber.
The Rescue crews were dispatched Immediately and the rushed to the crashed Bomber. They put out the fire and helped the wounded crew. Only one pony was killed in the crash. The under gunner who was crushed under the heavy weight of the plane. Applejack turned and went back to her friends who also watched anxiously for Dash to return.
It took twenty minutes for the next bomber to come in. It had holes in the side but it still wasn’t Dashs bomber. But this one landed safely. More bombers came in after that but none were Dashs. Applejack was starting to give up.
~~~
Dash awoke to a pain in her side she looked around Spitfire was still flying the plane and Derpy was now refueling the plane with the fuel canisters. She spoke her voice was barely audible.
"S-Spitfire w-what’s going o-on."
Spitfire looked over her eyes widened and she yelled to Derpy.
"Derpy she is awake. Dash everything’s okay all of the escort broke off... except Soarin He still flying next to our plane. But we are almost home okay stay with us a little longer." Derpy had walked over next to Dash and was checking the wound that was now covered from a piece of a leather jacket one of the gunners was wearing. It still bled but a lot slower. Dash was tired. Her eyes were half open and it was difficult to move. She kept thinking about her friends and Applejack. She didn’t want to leave them but if they didn’t get home any faster she wouldn’t make it home. Spitfire picked up the radio and spoke to Soarin.
"Shes awake Soarin. Shes doing okay but I don’t know how long she will last in her current condition."
He spoke he sounded nervous at first then he got anger.
"Well I`m glad she’s okay. But make sure she gets home coltdammit! I’m not going to lose another friend to this war."
Spitfire spoke and looked over to Dash.
"Gotcha she will be just fine okay."
"Okay" She put down the radio and kept flying. Dash looked at the metal cealing for what seemed like hours. It was only about twenty minutes before Spitfire spoke again.
"there’s the airfield you’re going to make it out of this one Dash."
Dash was extremely tired by this time and her strength was fading.
Spitfire had lowered the gear but as she did the plane jolted, she looked at the dashboard and a light blinked. The forward gear didn’t go down. She pulled them up and told the under gunner to get out of his ball turret. He did so and came up to the cockpit with the three ponies.
"Brace for impact we are coming in without landing gears hold on every pony." Everypony held onto something as the plane hit the ground. The gunner who stood behind Spitfires Seat had been thrown back, Derpy held onto Dash`s chair, Dash, Spitfire, and the Gunner were held in by their seat belts. The plane skidded to a stop they were the last plane to hit the runway. Dash tried as hard as she could to keep her eyes open, but as Derpy was unbuckling her seatbelt she blacked out. To her the world grew dark and everything went away.
~~~
Applejack sat there as tears rolled down her face. It had been over an hour since rainbow told her she would be home and she had given up she thought they had been shot down. For all she knew Dash was dead. Her heart broke and she collapsed inside. Flutter Shy held her as a few tears fell down her own face. Flutter Shy could manage death. She had lost her animal friends before but this was different this was her best friend. But she never gave up she kept scanning the sky. She noticed something at first it was nothing but it grew bigger and bigger it was a bomber coming in for a landing. She shook Applejack who looked up she pointed to the bomber that was coming in. It had holes in it and blood was splattered on the windshield. A fighter plane had accompanied them the whole way home and was now circling the base. The bomber came in low and the gears went down, but only two were shone from the belly of the plane after that they pulled up. They were crash landing. Applejack looked towards the side of the bomber. It was filled with holes but there painted was Applejack on her side, she saw the words "Hot Plot" Written on the side she jumped up and ran towards runway. The plane landed and sparks flew from under it as it came to a stop more rescue ponies ran from the hangers to assist the bomber crew. Applejack waited for the crew to come out. First was the gunners next it was Derpy who held Dash. She was unconscious; Derpy laid her on the ground. Applejack ran to her side along with her friends who stood behind her.
"D-dash." Applejack didn’t know what to say she was to shocked, worried, and scared to think of anything. If Dash was breathing no one noticed it. A Medical pony came and told Dashs friends to back off that he needed space. All of them backed off except Applejack. The doctor let her stay. Dash was still bleeding. The sight wasn’t pretty and a small pool of blood started forming around Dash. Two ponies put her on a stretcher and took her to the medical section of the base. All her friends followed. They weren’t aloud in the emergency room but they waited outside. It was three A.M. When they could finally see Dash they had waited for six hours to see her, but it was worth it to Applejack. She walked into the white room. Dash was in a bed hooked up to a few pieces of medical Equipment. She was asleep so Applejack waited in the chair next to the bed. Rarity and Flutter Shy had to go home. Flutter Shy had to take care of her animals then she would be right back. Rarity had a clothing line due in a week and had to get started. But all Applejack could do was sit in her chair and think about Dash.
~~~
When Dash awoke it was morning the next day. She looked around her room all her friends where there, except Rarity who was off somewhere for all Dash knew. But when she looked to her right and saw her Marefriend sitting in a chair, she smiled a big bright smile. Applejack was asleep her hoof was holding her head up, and her elbow kept her arm up. Dash thought about what had happened. She was glad to be alive and hoped she would get out of the hospital soon. The doctor came in; Dash asked a few questions about how long she would be there. Two months. Dash looked at her lap Two months. She wouldn’t be able to fly or do anything with her Marefriend for two months. Visits would be happy though and she knew Applejack would visit when she could but two whole months. But she was discharged to heal for a year. That made her extremley happy.
When the doctor left she sat there and looked out the window towards the airfield. She noticed her bomber all the way in hanger seven. It was held up by a crane and Spitfire was working on the landing gear that had failed when they landed. The holes in the side of the plane were clearly visible; a bunch went through the side paint she had worked on for countless hours. She turned back to Applejack who was stirring in her seat. Her arm slipped and with that the rest of her body. A small yelp came from her and she got up. She shook her head and looked at Dash who returned her gaze with a soft smile.
"Hey Applejack. " she said soflty
"Dash! Your awake. I’m so glad you’re okay. I was worried when i saw blood on the windshield. It scared me half to death Sugar cube. Don’t do it again... ever."
Dash laughed softly. "I won’t be for a while. I will fly but not for a year or so. But yea sorry for being late we hit some rough spots."
"Rough spots you took two bullets to your chest. You almost died. I don’t want to see you like this again."
"Dash looked at her lap and sighed." You won’t I promise. Okay I love you Applejack."
"And ah love you Dash. Just please don’t let this happen again."
Dash looked up and smiled at her Marefriend." I won’t okay."
"Okay but I have to go now Sugar cube, Big macs awaiting for me on the farm Love ya I visit soon"
As she ran out the door Dash spoke "I love you too Applejack see you soon."
~~~
After Dash was released she visited all her friends and was glad to see them they visited when they could but it was hard they all had busy lives. She had gone to Applejacks last; she was greeted with a big hug and a happy Applejack.
After that they spent all the time they could together. She got to know Applejacks family a lot better. Applejacks family knew her well enough and when Dash asked to move in they gladly accepted. Dash and Applejack were as happy as can be. Dash worked on the farm when she could. But when the time came around for her to go back she did, and Applejack couldn’t be happier. They had talked about this and they made agreements that they were planning on keeping. Dash`s bomber was fixed by that time and her first mission was two days after she was put back into commission. She kept flying missions and after every one Applejack would be waiting for her when she came home. But two months after she went back to flying sad news came in. Soaring Equestrias Ace had been shot down and was presumed MIA. Spitfire had her week off and when Dash told her she cried for hours. She lost a great friend. Dash was being escorted by him when he was shot down.
That didn’t stop either of them they kept going as a crew and hit every target head on. A month after that Derpy had been hit. Two bullets went through her chest. Dash did what she could to save the mare but Derpy died in her arms. Dash mourned and Applejack helped with it, she too was sad but stayed strong for Dash. Dash wanted to quit after that. She had grown attached to the grey mare she was like her sister. But she was gone. This war was turning on her. She was losing her friends. Four months after Derpy died. Dashs Bomber was shot down and crashed behind enemy lines. Applejack had cried for days. It broke her heart when she learned about Dash being shot down. Dash was presumed MIA.
The war ended a week after that. All the POWs were released and came home on a neutral Transport plane. Applejack watched as she saw many ponies she knew from her town come off. To her amazement two ponies she knew well walked off, Spitfire and Soarin. Neither died but Spitfire had some broken limbs. Applejack looked at the Pegasus. All Spitfire did was shake her head sadly and keep walking. Applejack Had lost Dash, at least thats what Spitfires impression put oppon her. Dash had promised she would come home but, she didn’t come home this time. The next planes came in and more ponies came off when the last plane came in Applejack Started to head home when she heard a pony yell her name. The voice was familiar and she turned and saw a sky blue Pegasus running towards her. She was hit with a big hug. Dash was alive. she couldn’t believe it. To her it was a Miracle, to Dash it was luck. After the war the two lived together happily, they never would leave each other again. They were never seen separated only on rare occasions. But the two loved each other. Dash took Applejack flying in a Bi-plane occasionaly. She had been working on it after the war it was stored in a hanger on Sweet Apple Acers. After the two landed on the airstrip Dash thought to herself. She was going to stop flying planes and stuck to her wings. When the message came in that she had been assigned a new bomber, She flew it only once. It was her last Flight.
Soarin`s story
The mission was simple escort the bomber group to sector seven and return home, but everything is easier said than done, but Soarin knew he and his squad of veteran fighter pilots could take care of this. He was preparing his fighter, checking his ammo supply, making sure everything would work properly, and checking the amount of fuel he had in his tank`s. This was an ordinary day for him, escorting bombers and such but he felt a unpleasant feeling in his stomach, something bad was going to happen. He brushed the feeling away thinking that everything would be fine. Spitfire walked over to the hanger his plane was in front of. It was two hours before they both had to depart on a mission.
"Aye Soarin. You gettin ready for a mission?" She laughed softly as he jumped surprised by the sudden disturbance. He stopped working on his plane and looked at her.
"Yup and I’m almost ready. What about you? Don’t you have a mission today?"
“I do indeed me and Dash is flying our bomber into the factory sectors today. We plan on hitting some rough spots, but other than a few we should come home unscaved." She spoke smiling.
He was escorting there bomber group today.
“Well I guess I’ll have the pleasure to escort you ladies into there." After that comment she looked confused. He explained.
"I got order`s to escort a bomber group into sector seven and after hearing you explain that’s your mission. Well I just guessed that I’m escorting you into there."
She realized that and smiled.
“I think you might just do that, now I can relax now knowing that some rookie won’t get us killed out there."
He laughed a little. "Yea I guess so, but how are you?"
She yawned.
"I’m good just little tired from who knows what, but I’ll sleep it off when we are airborne."
"Good be well rested who knows what could happen out there... "
"Yea...."
"Remember the team..." He looked at her.
"Yea ha-ha me, you, Rapidfire, Misty, Blaze, Fire Streak, Fleetfoot, Lightning Streak, Silver Lining, Surprise, and Wave Chill... what happened to them... you know after this war started."
He spoke sadly knowing not all of them made it through the entire war. ".... Lightning Streak, and Silver Lining were in my squad... they got shot down two weeks ago. Fire Streak is still in my squad along with Rapidfire, and Blaze. They are my wingmen. I don’t know anything about the others, haven’t heard from them in a while."
Hearing her friends died hurt her inside she was shocked, but still spoke.
"Neither have I... But wow Streak and Lining gone... Why wasn’t I informed."
She looked at him obviously upset.
"You never asked.... But I’m sorry i didn’t tell you sooner. But I have to keep getting ready. Sorry Spitfire but.... "
She took the hint that he wasn’t ready for the mission and nodded.
"Okay I guess I will see you up in the sky... Like old time`s... “She laughed a little.
"Yea but this time we are in birds of war. See ya up there."
She stood there and looked at him. It surprised him when she darted at him. He was hit with a hug and her breathing was warm as it went down his back and she spoke softly.
"Soarin, I don’t want you to end up like Streak, or Lining please just promise me you will come home..."
Shocked by what she said he promised and hugged back. "Okay Spitfire I promise... You won’t lose me too okay now I really have to get ready... I will see you in the sky."
She backed off and looked at him, nodded and walked away. He went back to work on his plane and thought of his friends. Dash, and Spitfire were the only ones he heard from anymore. For all he knew the others were gone, shot down somewhere over the land that they called Equestria. It pained him to think like that but it wouldn’t leave his thoughts. When he was finished fixing the all his hydraulics, he climbed inside his cockpit he looked at his instruments and the picture on that was on the right side of cockpit. It had Spitfire and Dash on it. The two stood in front of their bomber and both were smiling. He didn’t really talk to Dash before the war but when it started they grew on each other. They were best friends and as he thought about them his radio crackled he jumped and finished checking his instruments as the commander spoke.
“Okay Soarin get you men ready you guys are to meet up with the bomber group in the sky in one hour. Take off now and meet up with them at the rally point.”
He picked up the radio “Got it boss “he switched channels and told his squad to group up for takeoff on the runway. Once they were all there, they started taking off two at a time. The plane shook as he pulled up, He was the first off the runway and his wingmen followed close behind. They circled the airfield a couple times so they could get formed up and headed out to the rally point. He was off to war.
As He approached the rally point Soarin thought. His mind went from memory to memory thinking about the good times hoping that this war won’t take the ones in the memories away. He found the bomber squad and got the acquainted. After that they flew for a couple minutes until the first squadron came in and flew past. They didn't attack and he made sure his squadron stuck with the bombers. A few minutes later another squadron came in and opened fire. He pulled off and went in for his first kill. He saw the fuselage burst into flames and have it fall out of sight. He saw tracers fly past his cockpit and he radioed his squadron.
“Guys I have one on my six can someone get rid of him I need to get back to those bombers before there all gone."
Rapidfire came in a few seconds after that and took the enemy down.
"Nice kill go make sure the bombers are doing okay I`m going after their squadron leader.
He pulled off and went for the light grey plane with the large amount of kill tags on the side. The pilot saw him and pulled into him. He flew over his plane and doubled back to try and get on Soarins six. Soarin flipped his plane and pulled up following the squadron leader. The G-forces pushed against his body as he pulled the plane to face his foe`s. He pulled the trigger and saw tracers hit his targets wing. It left holes and the plane pulled off. A rookie mistake as Soarin pulled in behind him. Soaring opened fire and saw blood splatter across the cockpit of his target. He flew next to the plane. The pilot was slumped but still alive and as he looked over Soarin felt a ping of guilt. He had just killed somepony. He had done it before but never saw them like that. He felt bad but shook the feeling and saw the pilot slump down and his plane go into the ground. He went back to the squadron of bombers who were still under attack. He went back to the fight and proceeded with taking two more planes down in that fight. The others pulled off; he pulled up to Soarin and Dashs plane. The first thing he saw was blood. All across the windshield and Dash was pushed back. Derpy was next to her but Dash didn't look good.
Dash looked over and he was speechless he jaw hung open as he examined her. Blood came from the corner of her mouth and she put her hoof on the windshield. It streaked down and blood followed leaving a bloody streak. He didn't pick up his radio but only spoke so she could see his lips. "You’re going to be okay Dash." She smiled slightly and shook her head. He knew what she meant and he knew that she might be right. They turned the squadron around and went home. He told his squadron to pull off and go to the airbase to refuel. He stuck with the bomber squad. He finally got a hold of himself and picked up the radio. "Spitfire what the hell happened to Dash.”... He was worried but sounded angry. He didn't want to lose another one of his friends.
"We had a bogey take a few potshots and some went through the windshield and hit Dash. We lost our Targeting man and we are damaged. I think he hit something important because my instruments are messed up and I just fixed them."
"ColtDamnit! Is Dash going to be okay?!?” He didn't talk to her before the war. But when she joined the Air force and joined Spitfires bomber squad as a pilot they grew on each other. She was like his cousin and Spitfire was like his sister. They were a lot to him.
"She’s losing a lot of blood and is out cold right now but I think Derpy has slowed the blood. Derpy check our fuel now Dash will be okay for a few minutes. She will be fine Soarin promise. Okay."
"Okay." He didn't like the fact that Dash might not make it.
They kept flying for a few minutes when his radio bustled to life with a single pony’s voice. Spitfires
"Shes awake Soarin. Shes doing okay but I don’t know how long she will last in her current condition." When he heard the he got scared. She wasn't doing well and he knew it. He looked to his right and saw dash lying in her chair. Blood was visible on her blue coat as it streamed down her light blue coat.
"Well I`m glad she’s okay. But make sure she gets home coltdammit! I’m not going to lose another friend to this war."
"Gotcha she will be just fine okay."
"Okay" He grew really worried but all of his worries went away as he saw the airfield. He circled the airfield and noticed his fuel was dangerously low. He wouldn't be able to land if they blocked the runway. He circled around holding his plane in a steady left turn as he watched the bomber crash land. He saw the rescue ponies come out from the hangers they were in and a single orange earth pony who reached the wreckage first. He saw as they brought Dash from the crashed bomber and his own plane started to stutter as he looked forward he noticed his engine had given out. No fuel was left and he banked right into the hilly areas around the airfield. He sent one last message to Spitfire.
"Hey spits out of fuel so yea I can’t really land on the airstrip so wish me luck."
"As he slowly glided his plane over to the flattest area he could find he heard Spitfire.
"NO WAIT.... “He didn't have enough time to hear the whole thing. His plane had hit the ground but it was in contact. No boom or explosion. When the rescue squad got to him he was unconscious but alive. He was rewarded with a concussion and a very upset Spitfire. But he was back into the sky within weeks. Every chance he got he would escort Spitfire and her crew into battle. They promised each other they would come home and hopefully they would keep it.
