Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is property of Namco Bandai. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is property of Hasbro. I might be wrong, but either way they aren't mine alright?
Maverick Squadron VS!
Chapter 0: Prologue
After a while, you kinda get used to bein' a pony. I remember when I first got here, even though sometimes I'd rather not remember just how badly I embarrassed myself. But either way it still seems like an extremely elaborate dream, seein' as how if you don't question it, everypony else just rolls with it too. It seems this way, but one thing I can't shake is that it's not just me. Blaze, Oatmeal, and Edwin are also here with me, but those are the only other three I've found that have taken residence in another known pony's body, not that I looked all too much, but that's beside the point. They both also had a bit of trouble adjusting, but once we found each other things started to smooth out a bit. We managed to convince the other ponies that 'Prime', 'Oatmeal', 'Blaze', and 'Edwin' are just nicknames, even though a friendship between Big Mac, Pinkie Pie, Luna, and Trixie wasn't exactly easy to explain either. I think Blaze had the hardest time; not only did he have to speak directly to Celestia, but also about how the name 'Blaze' is befitting of a Princess of the Moon. We managed to convince her that Luna just really enjoys irony, but I think she was just to happy to see her sister opening up more. Which made me think, Celestia was very open about talking to us. I know she's very benevolent and loves interacting with all citizens, but she acted so... familiar, like she knew us. I wouldn't be surprised if she actually knew SOMETHING about this situation, but even then she's probably not telling for some very important reason. Oh and by the way, I managed to get Twilight Sparkle a spot in the R&D division, kind of as an apology for my... outburst upon waking up in her library for the first time. She's not there often, but she doesn't enjoy the thought of weapons and destruction magic, so she works mostly on defenses and early-warning systems whenever she's there. Back to the point, another thing that bothers my theory is the fact that you're getting these letters in the first place, AND replying to them, it's very off-putting that I can communicate outside of this world. I'm not accusing you of anything, but just know, now is definitely not the time to keep secrets, ok? Anyways, I have to go soon, the promotion ceremony is gonna start in about ten minutes, and I have a reputation of being early to uphold, not that you would know about holding reputations. Yours truly, Prime 'soon to be' Major Enigma. Oh and PS: tell the guys back at 73oom don't wait up for me alright?
As the crimson stallion wrote these last few lines, he couldn't help but let out a chuckle so warm and pure that it would put even Celestia to shame. But as he turned to his bulky yet form-fitting olive drab attire, he heard a knock on his door. Upon opening he saw another stallion clad in a similar uniform looking a bit weathered, as if he had to trot, or gallop quite a distance to get to this cabin. Prime knew his cabin was one of the few on a somewhat remote section of Canterlot's Air Force Reserve base, and almost felt sorry for any soldier unfortunate enough to be sent to his cabin just before an event like this, through the ocean of crowded pilots, engineers, and other staff all trying to get somewhere different, even though they're all working to set the stage for something in one area.
"Captain?" this was all Prime needed to hear before he realized just what time it was: time to GO!
"Afternoon, Lieutenant. Oh, right! I was just getting ready for the ceremony now, don't worry I'll be there just tell the General I'll have to settle for 'on-time' today." The laugh Prime exchanged with the other soldier was more hearty this time around, like the kind you would hear from 2 close friends at a bar as they shared a couple drinks and jokes. As the soldier left, Prime was already busy dawning his uniform, 2 silver bars pinned to each side of his collar, however Prime knew today was going to be the last he'll see with this insignia on his uniform. But he had no time to brag as he read his watch while on his way to the assembly hall. "1457? Man, I'm really cuttin' it close this time!"
---After The Promotion Ceremony---
As Prime made his way back to his cabin, he caught sight of a pink blur that clashed harshly with the dull green on it, a sight anypony would recognize immediately as Pinkie Pie, or Oatmeal in Prime's case. Oatmeal, being Pinkie, knew that Prime saw him and rushed instantly over, probably knocking over a few others as he did so, straight to Prime, and the conversation started right away.
"How's it goin' Major, congratulations!" Prime somehow started walking noticeably faster, his brain either trying to get away from Oatmeal, or just trying to keep up. "I've been waiting for today, 'cause now that you're a major, I can finally show you!"
"Show me what?" Prime was confused, and at the least very worried, but extremely curious as to what Oatmeal would save for a specific date like this.
"You'll see soon enough... like now!" before Prime could ask, they were both in front of Oatmeal's garage.
"How did we-"
"Ha! Made you gallop!" at this point Prime just followed Oatmeal without question. "...Anyways, I wanted to show you something special. Before Edwin left, he gave me something. That something was a blueprint, and on the back was a note." He held the note to Prime, who decided to read it aloud.
"Hmm, lets see here... 'Dear Oatmeal, you will need this for our reunion, I left to build trust but never lose faith, and make this soon. Never forget, Edwin.' So wait is he ever coming back?" Prime began thinking about his time with Edwin. They were close friends, but memories of it all felt so brief, and Blaze and Oatmeal came to the same problem.
Oatmeal's face grew slightly solemn, "Hey, don't worry, remember what Edwin told us back when we left basic?"
Prime started laughing fondly "How could I forget? 'Trust me, if Sarge doesn't rip me apart for the potato gag, then you'll definitely hear about me when I'm in trouble!'" now he was laughing uncontrollably.
Seeing how Prime was all cheered up, Oatmeal continued the showcase, "Alrighty then! Check this out! The blueprint called it the 'A/X-11 FIDES', and it's some kind of super-hybrid!" as he said this, Oatmeal was raising the hatch hiding an aircraft that you would swear couldn't fly.
Prime, after he finished gawking in awe at the sheer ingenious of a masterpiece, grabbed the blueprints from Oatmeal "Let me see this! What the... it's got the fuselage of a Wyvern, the propulsion and reflective stealth system of a Raptor, and... where have I seen those wings before?" he stared at the blueprint for what seemed like eternity before Oatmeal pulled the paper from Prime's hooves.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you saw those wings before..." Oatmeal began to lower his voice and look around as if they were being monitored, "...I managed to sneak some salvage from our mission at Sentry Island."
Prime nearly exploded in surprise before Oatmeal could calm him down, "I knew it! The Fenrir wing design, how could I miss that?"
Oatmeal laughed to himself as he wrapped his hoof around Prime's shoulders "Yeah, it's a shame though, we missed all the action, not that I would want to face the Fenrir in a dogfight."
Prime recoiled at Oatmeal's disappointed tone, "Are you kidding me!? We arrived at the best part! I still can't believe Spitfire managed to shoot down that straggler AND navigate that base as it was crumbling. Oatmeal I tell ya', she is somethin' else."
"Yeah, she's somethin' else alright! Am I right?" Oatmeal went for a bro-hoof, but all he got was a punch in the fore-hoof.
Prime glared at Oatmeal sternly "Oh shut up, I am a stallion of respect and you know that!"
"A colt of respect is more like it..." he muttered under his breath, but before Prime could question his last statement, Oatmeal continued, "But anyway where's Blaze? We were supposed to meet up on the way here."
"Wooooooaaahhh..." almost on que, right after Oatmeal asked, a midnight blue alicorn stood in amazement before Oatmeal and Edwin's work of art. "Hey why didn't you show me this too!? You know how much I love fused aircraft!"
Oatmeal stared at Blaze, annoyed as ever, "I DID. I told you the day of Prime's promotion I was gonna show both of you something awesome. But it's not surprising you couldn't remember, Lieutenant Blaze."
Right at the word 'Lieutenant', Oatmeal broke out in laughter, and Blaze flushed, "H-hey! That's FIRST Lieutenant to you!" Oatmeal's face grew dead serious very quickly before Blaze realized his mistake "Uh, I-I mean, Colonel. Sir!"
And Oatmeal continued to laugh shortly afterwards "And don't you forget it!"
Prime couldn't help but snicker at the whipped attitude Oatmeal put Blaze in sometimes, but grew curious "Blaze, seriously. You've been here almost as long as I have, and from the looks of it you're in the Brass' favor, how the buck are you still a Lieutenant?"
Before Blaze could respond, Oatmeal quickly cut in, "Well I'm sure it doesn't help that you're late to just about everything!" Blaze standing in the doorway was clearly a valid example of his claim.
Blaze was quick to defend himself, as usual "Wait a minute, I got a reason this time! I overheard that Celestia has another special mission planned."
Prime had been siting back for most of the conversation, but every now and then felt the need to teach Blaze how to carry himself in society, especially in the base, "Now hold on here, you said you overheard?"
"Well yeah."
"How?"
"A little investigating here and there."
"Eavesdropping on E-9s again?"
"Yeah..." Oatmeal proceeded to face-hoof, adding to Blaze's sheepishness, "Eh heh heh... but that doesn't matter! You know what I'm getting at right?"
Blaze looked toward Oatmeal, who's eyes were glowing at this point, "Has Maverick Squadron been assigned?" he asked, practically drooling at the thought of testing out his new-built FIDES in actual combat.
Blaze nodded furiously, "Yep! We are a go as of sometime late next week! So be ready for a briefing in a couple days, I just hope we aren't stuck with the Wonderbolts again..."
Prime just decided to take a seat, realizing Blaze and Oatmeal's antics could possibly be giving him a headache, "Are you and Soarin' still bickerin' over that flight demonstration last week?"
Blaze quickly snapped towards Prime "First of all, it wasn't even a full week ago! Secondly, I didn't know him and Fleet-Foot were friends!"
"But Blaze, they're ALWAYS hanging out together, and all the Wonderbolts are a little clique of their own anyway, so that was a given." By now Prime had been getting a tad bit agitated, which could definitely be heard in his voice.
Oatmeal interjected, "Besides, you should just be lucky to be on Maverick Squadron. Under normal conditions you'd have to be at least a Major before being put in a Task Force unit. So it's especially lucky I was there to convince the higher ups!"
Blaze stared straight at Oatmeal "Right, sure. I'm absolutely sure it has nothing to do with the whole goddess thing. I could've convinced them myself."
Oatmeal just shrugged off the rebuttal, "I'm sure it would also help if you learned to use some better magic, oh so powerful goddess."
After that Blaze just seemed to give up, "Bah, whatever. Listen, gotta run, saw Prime writing a letter, reminded me that I've got a pen-pal of my own, so see ya!" And with that, Blaze was out of sight before Prime could even ask when or how Blaze saw him writing.
---In Blaze's Cabin---
In the cabin sat a winged, horned pony with a coat of blue so dark it almost blended in with the darkness, pierced only by the moonlight as the window was the only hatch on the cabin Blaze had opened. He sat there, staring into the sky before turning to his desk, exasperated. "Wow... that... that still hurts... a lot... thanks Celestia for those... moon-raising lessons..." Blaze huffed. After catching his breath, he haphazardly levitated a scroll, feather, and ink all to his desk, and cleaned the immediate mess this made. Once Blaze had the materials, and cleaned everything up, he began writing.
Dear Edwin,
We talked about you today, and Prime got promoted to Major! But Oatmeal showed me something truly amazing, and he said something about you designing it. How did you do it? How did you harmonize the clashing designs of what, 3 aircraft? Also, why can't I tell the others you're still alive at least? They're worried sick about you man, and so am I. Just promise you wont change, not for the worse, at the very least. Oh yeah, about your last reply, did I seriously never tell you, or do you just love hearing this story? Either way, here goes: The reason I always asked the mechanics not to repaint my plane was, well it was a bit of a childhood habit. You see, as a kid I loved picking my wounds, and my parents hated that. My mom always said 'If you keep that the scar will never heal!' but that was just it, I didn't want them to heal. I want all my mistakes and failures to be remembered, to better track everything I learned from said mistakes. So I tell all the mechanics: 'You can replace parts as needed, but only if necessary, and never, EVER repaint it, not with color at least, if it's clear I'm fine.' However after a while it meant something else entirely. All the chipped paint, all those specs of white and grey, over top of the near black paint scheme of my plane, it reminded me of a starry night sky. But that's not even the best part! Some of the other pilots say, when I fly at night, sometimes when I go fast enough, everything turns to a blur and resembles stardust coming off a comet, hows that for your smoke and mirrors? But anyway I've been hearing a rumor, something about an enemy squadron comprised totally of well-known notorious pilots, all except one. One pilot that has yet to be named or even seen, but has made quite a reputation of himself by now. People have been calling his plane the 'Majic-12', 'cause any aircraft he locks on to... is never seen again 12 seconds later. Just remember, your 2 most powerful tools are your flares and radar.
-BlazeHydra
PS: Yes, I'm still a Lieutenant, shut up.
