The End of Peace: Chapter. 2
Live and Let Fly
By: Ceasertiberius
As the weeks went on the war progressed in several directions. The deer were becoming more aggressive and organized. In the early days the deer were known as a locational threat. Only attacking in small bands near their forests. The deer caused minor annoyances to both sides, hurting supply lines and attacking small squads. At most the deer would launch magic at nearby cities, causing reasonable damage but nothing devastating.
Several weeks after the destruction of Roam the deer became organized. Their leaders became united and different deer species were spotted working in unison. They began to launch massive attacks at cities with powerful magic. This new more pressing threat divided the efforts of the FTO and the Union. As a result the fighting between the two slowed down so that they could respond to the deer’s assaults.
While many of the Union’s efforts were being redirected to deal with the deer, Rommule was still assigned to the Ibex offensive. Rommule had a massive army deployed on the pony side of the bordering mountains. He was waiting and studying his enemies’ tactics, preparing his own offensive. Yet the Ibex had learned from the mistakes of the zebra’s. Instead of just preparing defenses and underestimating their enemy, the Ibex were taking a more aggressive route.
The route the Ibex took was known as espionage. The Ibex used their prong citizens as effective spies at gathering intelligence. The prongs had the ability to ride lighting, allowing them to travel at unimaginable speeds. The prongs used this ability to quickly get in and out of tactical locations, gathering knowledge as they went. The prongs would not only use their speed to gain valuable intelligence but also to capture targets. Prongs would take high value targets as hostages or even act as assassins, becoming a major problem for the Union.
The espionage of the Union could in no way match the Ibex and their prong agents. Celsetia and the higher ups in the Union decided that Rommule needed to invade the empire immediately. With an invasion in progress the Ibex would be forced to concentrate on defense instead of espionage. Yet Rommule was not ready for a full on assault through the mountains, he estimated heavy casualties and an unlikely chance that they would reach and destroy major Ibex cities. Regardless the higher ups ordered Rommule to prepare for the coming invasion.
A few weeks after the events of Operation Scorched Earth, Scorch and his new friends landed on the southern coast bordering the mountains. As they made their way up the mountains towards Rommule, the General was readying his attack. At the same time the prongs had been getting more aggressive and risky with their exploits. They were begging to reach into pony territory, even as far in as Equestira. While the Union fought with the Ibex in the shadows and on the battlefields, the deer prepared for their own assault. All over the world near both Union and Order cities, deer of all species were gathering in secret. Ready to attack the homes of their enemies while they were occupied with each other.
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It was midafternoon in the great sky city of Cloudsdale and the multitude of Pegasi were going about their daily business. Soldiers flew in their jets and trained, weather teams went about Equestria, factory workers made the weather and the youth were occupied with school.
Summer was nearing and soon new Pegasi would be graduating and thrown into the workforce. In Equestria ponies graduated at the age of 20 and were expected to live till nearly 150, working for the majority of their lives. In Cloudsdale the graduating class would often go off to train for weather duty but not everypony was destined to remain in a factory.
Winter Bliss was one of those special pegasi. She was somewhat of a prodigy. Not only was she academically superior to most her age but she could fly faster than most pegasi. Because of her skill in school and in flight she was advanced three grades at a young age. Her father, General Overcast of the Equestrian air force, was a driving force behind her daughter’s success. He used his position to advance Bliss to higher classes, where she flourished regardless off the fact that she was much smaller and younger than her peers.
Winter Bliss was now 17 and her fellow students were all around 20. On top of that she was nearly half their size. This wasn’t solely on the account of her age, she was just a rather small Pegasus who was considered a late bloomer. Bliss didn’t let that stop her though, she used her disadvantages to help motivate her to be an academic genius and to be the best young flier since Rainbow Dash.
She was a bit cocky and arrogant as a result of her achievements yet she could also be extremely shy and socially awkward. Being around older ponies made her accomplishments seem even grander yet at the same time made it hard for her to fit in. Her greatest downfall was with stallions, she always had several crushes at once but she couldn’t bring herself to talk to any boys. She would get extremely nervous and shy before running off unannounced from any stallion that talked to her. This seemed to be a direct contradiction to her prideful attitude yet because of her circumstances it was understandable. Her pride and shyness worked together to make her something of a social pariah, resulting in her sitting alone at lunch.
Bliss dreaded most of school because of her shyness but when she got to the flying course all of her confidence and pride came back to her. Here she could show up pegasi much larger and older than her, making her forget her awkwardness. It was her favorite part of school and she was lined up next to her classmates ready to take off.
Even her cutie mark reflected her grandeur in flight. Her mark was of several detailed snowflakes of different sizes in front of wisps of flowing wind. Blowing and flowing in an elegant yet steadfast way. She earned her mark when she was just beginning to learn how to fly. A blizzard was rolling unannounced and unplanned through Cloudsdale, forcing many pegasi out of the sky. That didn’t stop the young Winter Bliss who dove in and out of the whipping snow with grace. She was even able to manipulate the harsh winter weather easily to her advantage. As a result many thought she would be an outstanding winter weather Pegasus but her and her dad had much greater plans for her. She saw the experience and her cutie mark as a sign of her flying skills and ability to succeed in the face of unimaginable odds. She always kept that belief in mind, even now as she was preparing to fly against her much older and larger classmates.
Winter Bliss stood in her take off stance next to students who were over a head higher than her. She readied her small, sleek body instinctively for flight. The sun shined off of her light, powdery, blue coat. Her darker more ocean blue mane and tail where cut at medium length to be more aerodynamic. Her mane was held back by a hair band that matched the color of her coat, to keep her mane out of her face. Winter Bliss got low to the ground and spread her strong feathered wings out behind her. She narrowed her electric blue eyes in determination as the starting gun was shot.
Winter Bliss shot forward at blinding speeds, leaving her peers behind her in a daze. She was flying at top speed through the flight academies training course. She agilely dove in and out of obstacles with grace and unmatched speed. She quickly passed pegasi twice her size without missing a beat. Winter Bliss crossed the finish line with a snowy white trail following behind her.
She landed softly on a large cloud next to her instructor. Her instructor whistled, “Another new record! This level of flying hasn’t been seen since Rainbow Dash!”
Winter Bliss pumped her hoof in the air triumphantly, “Woo hoo, another record smashed!”
A moment later the rest of the class started to land after finishing their laps. A large stallion with a dark blue coat trotted over to Winter Bliss grinning. “Nice going Bliss! I’ve never seen flying like that, especially not from someone so young!”
Winter Bliss turned a bright red and started stuttering quietly, “Haha, th-thanks. It’s ummm not a big deal, you did good yourself, hehe.” Bliss rubbed the back off her neck with her hoof while grinning awkwardly, never making eye contact. “Well I gotta go soooooo, catch you later.” Bliss shot off before the stallion could even react. The stallion just stood on the cloud, confused and shocked as Bliss disappeared into the distance.
Winter Bliss was blushing furiously as she flew away from the stallion at top speed. She was never good with boys, especially when she had a crush on them. All she could think of was how embarrassing and stupid she acted. Now her only choice was to fly away as fast as possible while she mentally kicked herself. For all of her strengths and accomplishments she couldn’t help but feel jealous of the mares that got all the stallions. While they flirted masterfully she just sat there and stuttered awkwardly before fleeing in a snowy haze.
Bliss landed on a cloud on the outskirts of the city. She started hitting the cloud rapidly out of frustration before slowly calming down. Winter Bliss laid on the cloud for an hour, thinking over and over about how stupid she was. Then she’d regain some confidence in her great feats before she was brought down again by her embarrassment. This cycle lasted for nearly an hour before she decided it would be best to head home, to finish her homework so she’d have the weekend free.
With new found excitement for the coming weekend Bliss took off, headed towards her home. Bliss typically finished her work early but she was especially eager because her dad was coming home for the weekend and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. The war had taken her father all across the world for long periods of time. Winter Bliss often missed her dad and revealed in the time they had together. This weekend was no exception, Bliss already had a full schedule prepared for their time together. Most of all Bliss wanted to show her father her new flying tricks because it would make him proud and nothing in the world brought her as much joy as her father being proud of her.
Bliss flew to her home which lay on a cloud on the edge of the military base. The base in Cloudsdale was the center for all Union air operations. As a result many personnel were made to live there and the base was often over crowded. Being one of the top air force general’s for Equestria, Bliss’ dad was given a manor on the edge of the base, away from all the traffic.
Bliss flew high above the chaos of the base until she was directly over her house. She then dived and landed in front of the cloud manor. Great pillars of clouds held up the large multi storied house. At one time Bliss was awestruck by the size and architecture of the house but now it was just another part of her life.
Bliss opened the door and walked through the hallway, into the kitchen were her mother Crescent Shine was cooking. Her mother was an average sized Pegasus with a navy blue coat and a lighter, dusky blue mane with pearl white streaks. Her mother smiled at her gently, “Hello Winter Bliss how was your day?”
Winter Bliss sat at the table and put her head down. “Well….I smashed another flight record and got really good grades. Yep that’s about it.”
Bliss buried her head in her hooves to hide her slight blush. Her mother knew there was more to it but decided not to push. Instead she kept cooking with both pegasi remaining quiet for a time. Eventually Winter Bliss smelled the food her mother was cooking and raised her head to comment, “Mmmmmmmmmm, that smells good mom. What are you cooking?”
Crescent smiled lightly while continuing to work, “Stir fry alphalpha noodles.”
Winter Bliss jumped out of her seat ecstatic, “Mine and dad’s favorite! Are you making it because he’s coming back tonight?”
Crescent laughed lightly, “Well of course.”
Bliss had a large grin on her face as she spoke excitedly, “When’s dad going to get home? Will I be able to show him my new tricks tonight?”
Crescent still had her light smile but she sighed, “It’s hard to know when exactly. The war has him busy and he has to be ready at a moment’s notice. He will likely be home late and he’ll be tired, so you might have to wait until tomorrow.”
Bliss groaned heavily and rolled over on the table hiding her face again. She mumbled in a sad tone, “I hate this war. Always taking my father away.”
Crescent looked at her daughter, her smile replaced with a small frown. She walked over and hugged her daughter tightly. “I know hunny, I hate it too. Your father hates it more than any of us. Trust me, he hates being away from us even just for a second and he has to watch his friends and soldiers die and cause destruction.”
Bliss started crying quietly, “Then why doesn’t he just quit? He could just stop and always be with us.”
Crescent hugged her daughter harder, “Oh hunny you know he can’t do that, it’s his duty. He does it to serve his nation and to protect us. Because of his service we can send you to fancy schools and live in this house in safety. I know it’s hard but hopefully this war will be over soon and we’ll all be together again.”
Bliss sniffled and looked up at her mom. She wiped the tears from her eyes, “I know it’s his job and he has to do it. It’s just hard. It was easier before this stupid war took him from us constantly.”
Crescent let go of her daughter and smiled at her, “I know what will cheer you up! How about you help me make your favorite food for your father?”
Bliss laughed while rolling her eyes as she responded sarcastically, “Yeah, sounds like loads of fun. I just like the eating part not the making part.” Regardless of her snide remark Bliss got up and happily helped her mom prepare dinner.
It was around 8 at night and dinner was finished about an hour prior when the front door swung open. In walked a large, stormy grey Pegasus wearing a decorated military uniform. He set down his bags by the door and took a deep breath. His mane was black and white, cut short in military fashion. His electric blue eyes beamed into the house with a sense of joy and elation.
The Pegasus smelled his favorite food in the air and began to make his way towards the kitchen. The instant he started to walk a light blue blur flew out of the kitchen. The small, light blue Pegasus had a massive grin on her face. The grin almost seemed impossible for her size yet it was gleaming with joy that was reflected in her electric blue eyes. General Overcast’s electric blue eyes met those of the much smaller Pegasus.
The General began to grin before a light blue mass hurled at him, at blinding speeds yelling, “Daddy!”
The young Pegasus knocked her father across the hall to the door. General Overcast shook his head to regain his composure. When he looked up he saw a young, light blue Pegasus with his electric blue eyes, grinning down on him gleefully from atop his chest.
Overcast grinned up at his daughter lovingly, “My Bliss! How’s my girl?”
Winter Bliss wrapped her dad in a big hug while mumbling into his coat, “I set a new record and my grades are as good as always.”
Overcast laughed, “That’s my girl, you’ll beat Rainbow Dash yet! Well we better get up, smells like your mom cooked our favorite dinner.”
Winter Bliss bounded off of her father. She grabbed his hoof and hurriedly dragged him towards the kitchen. “I helped you know.”
Overcast chuckled, “Oh did you now. What prompted that?”
Before Bliss could answer they entered the kitchen. Crescent Shine smiled warmly at her husband and immediately galloped over to wrap him in an embrace. Overcast gladly returned the hug and kissed his wife. Winter Bliss just rolled her eyes as she sat down at the table. The married couple separated as Overcast sat next to his daughter and Crescent served the food.
The rest of the night the family joyously ate and talked together. For them it was a happy reunion, as short lived as it might be. At around midnight, the couple put their child to bed and went to bed with each other, shutting the door behind them.
After her parents had gone to bed Winter Bliss got out of bed. With all the excitement of the day and with the promise of even more excitement the next day, there was no way that Winter Bliss could sleep. She was up for a little over an hour, thinking to herself before she decided that she was still hungry. Bliss remembered that there were still left overs from dinner in the fridge. She got up and made her way downstairs quietly. She entered the kitchen and yawned a little too loudly. She slowly made her way towards the fridge when a bright light out of the window caught her attention.
Winter Bliss bolted to the window, looking every direction to see what the disturbance was. There was no one and nothing in the immediate vicinity and the sky was clear of any clouds. Bliss rubbed the back of her head before returning to the fridge. Bliss quickly dismissed the light as a result of either her tiredness or some military activity. Either way she had more important matters to attend to, such as her grumbling stomach.
Bliss opened up the refrigerator’s door and the light shined brightly down onto her and into the hall. She rummaged through the fridge’s contents in an attempt to find the leftovers when something moved behind her, casting a shadow in the light from the fridge. Bliss took the stir fry, slammed the fridge shut and spun to face the hallway, all in one quick motion. There was nothing within eyesight and there were no sounds. Bliss peered out of the arch from the kitchen, into the hall then up the stairs. She was about to continue her search when her stomach growled in defiance.
Winter Bliss sighed and went back to the kitchen to finally eat her meal. Winter bliss ate her leftovers for several minutes in peace. There were no sounds, no shadows or lights, just a calming silence.
Winter Bliss finished her food and was going to clean up her mess in the sink. As she made her way to the sink she heard a ruckus and soft pfft followed by a bang on the floor above her. Winter Bliss dropped her dishes in the sink and ran for the stairs. As soon as she exited the kitchen she rounded the corner and went to the foot of the stairs.
Bliss was about to climb the stairs when she was stopped dead in her tracks. Standing on the stairs directly in front of her was a strange creature. He had two medium sized, curved horns that protruded from each side of his head symmetrically. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a red bow tie that covered his brown and white coat. The creature smiled down at the young Pegasus in a very formal manner. His small, blue eyes pierced into her, as if they were searching for something. He was standing on crackling blue balls like it was a common occurrence.
Winter Bliss stood at the bottom of the stairs, confused and shocked by the creature that stood before her. The creature dusted off his tuxedo then cleared his throat to address the Pegasus, “Ah you must be the General’s daughter. It is a pleasure to meet you madam, but I’m afraid that we have not been formally acquainted with one another.”
Bliss stood still not sure what to do, she had never seen a creature like this before. His accent was strange but very formal and polite. The creature looked at her expectantly, waiting for her response. Winter Bliss gathered her thoughts and started to stutter out a response, “Oh….uh ummmmm……my name is ummm Winter Bliss, and you are?”
The creature took her hoof and kissed it lightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Madam Bliss. Now let me introduce myself, my name is Prong, James Prong. I am a, how do you say a colleague of your fathers? Well in any case we are in similar businesses.”
Winter Bliss was still stunned but she was slowly putting the pieces together. “So…….Mr. Prong, Why exactly are you in my home at this time at night and how are you standing on the clouds?”
James smiled at the young Pegasus deviously, “Well my dear I am here to see your father and pick up a very valuable package. After the package is secure I must make a trip to Aura, to pick up a second package. Once both packages are secure I will deliver them to my superiors back at HQ. As to my ability to stand on clouds, I am a Prong and we have the ability to ride lighting. That ability allows us to move at blinding speeds and to move on the clouds.”
Winter Bliss appeared uneasy under the constant gaze that the prong gave her. “Lightning Hu? Okay…….So…….what exactly are these packages that you need to secure?”
The prong laughed haughtily, “Oh a curious one are we? I’m sorry but that is classified information, I do hope that you understand. Now we must proceed with business, time is of the essence. Miss Bliss do be a good girl and go get some cleaning supplies.”
She looked up at the prong in a confused stupor, “Why……..why would I need cleaning supplies?”
James was making his way upstairs as he turned around to answer Bliss with a sinister grin on his face. “Because my dear you are going to have guests soon and you need to be a courteous host. Now there is a mess upstairs that needs to be cleaned and we don’t want your esteemed guests to have to see such a grotesque display, now do we?”
“Ummmmmm…..I guess not.” Winter Bliss was at a loss. She had no idea what to do or what was going on.
James’ grin grew even wider as he continued up the stairs. “Good, now hurry up and meet me upstairs. This mess needs to be sorted out before they get here. Oh and by the way bring a garbage bag.”
Winter Bliss nodded not knowing what to do as she made her way into the kitchen. She gathered up some simple cleaning supplies and a garbage bag. She made her way upstairs and saw James standing in front of her parents’ room. He was wiping his brow with a handkerchief and staring intently into her parents’ room.
Winter Bliss was now even more confused than before. She brought him the supplies as she asked questions, “Who exactly is coming? Why do you need a garbage bag? Why are you at my parent’s room?”
James Prong smiled at the confused Pegasus, “Why the authorities of course, who else would be coming my dear? And like I said before we need to clean up this mess, part of that entails taking out the garbage.”
Winter Bliss was stunned, “Why would the authorities come and why is the mess in my parent’s room?”
James gestured with his hoof into her parents’ room. Winter Bliss looked in the room for the first time that night. Most of the room was in complete chaos, sheets and furniture were thrown everywhere. The blinds were torn and the bed looked like a twister hit it. Her father was tied up and bloodied in a corner, seemingly unconscious. His hooves were bound and his wings were tied behind him. His mouth was tapped shut and his face had several large cuts and bruises on it. But what caught her attention immediately wasn’t her bound father. What drew her attention was a pool of dark red blood flowing from a female Pegasus who was spread out next to the bed. Her white night gown was stained red. There was a bloody hole through her chest and she was completely motionless. Her eyes stared towards the door with a dull expression of horror.
Bliss screamed and bolted to her mother’s side instantly, dropping all the supplies without a second thought. Winter Bliss held her mother’s dead body, sobbing into it heavily. She was being covered in blood but she could care less. At the moment the only thing that mattered to her was her loving mother, dead in her arms.
James sighed, “I really hoped that you would be more professional about this. Now look at you, you’re covered in blood. It’s completely unacceptable and unpresentable. Clean yourself up, this is unbecoming of a young lady. Need I remind you that you have guests coming?” James threw a dirty rag at Winter Bliss, “Hurry up, you don’t expect me to clean this all on my own now do you?”
Winter Bliss continued to cry heavily while holding her mother. She looked at the prong with her tear filled eyes. “What happened to her? Did you do this?”
James rolled his eyes, “I told you I had to pick up a package.” He gestured towards General Overcast then looked at Bliss’ mother. “This one tried to stop me from completing my mission. I tried to take the General peacefully but he is quite the soldier. Typically I’m silent but he sensed me and woke up. We had a quick skirmish in which I rendered him unconscious, a little worse for wear but what can you do? Your mother objected to my work and rushed me. Now I’m not supposed to leave witnesses and she was being uncooperative.”
James levitated out a sleek silver pistol with a long black barrel from his tuxedo. “So I put her down.” He said completely nonchalantly as he aimed the gun at a vase and pulled the trigger. The vase shattered but the gun made only a light pfft sound.
James looked back to Bliss who was still clutching to her still mother. “But I’m a league above the rules so I let minors, such as yourself, live. It would be very ungentlemanly of me to hurt a child, don’t you agree. I will let you live to fly another day. So for my generosity I expect some hospitality in return. So why don’t you make yourself useful and make us some tea hmmm?”
Winter Bliss got up shaking in a fury. She began to yell furiously at James, “YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! I Will NOT LET YOU TAKE MY FATHER YOU MONSTER!”
James rolled his eyes and sighed. He put a hoof to his face in exasperation. He looked at Winter Bliss unamused, “Oh don’t be so melodramatic. I’m just doing my job and I really must be heading off to Aura to get my other package, so can we skip the whole fighting part? Just let me take your father, I really don’t want to have to hurt you.”
Winter Bliss was in a rage, dark clouds were starting to form over the house and her electric blue eyes were burning with fury. “YOU WILL NEVER GET AWAY WITH THIS! YOU’VE MADE A HUGE MISTAKE, YOU TOLD ME YOUR NAME AND YOUR PLANS! IF I DON’T STOP YOU THE AUTHORITIES WILL!”
James busted out laughing. He took out his blood red handkerchief and wiped away a tear. “Oh that’s rich. I don’t care what the authorities know. By the time they make a decision to act I’ll be back at HQ in Hong Prong. Another mission completed flawlessly.”
Winter Bliss bellowed in rage, “YOU CALL THIS FLAWLESS?! YOU KILLED AN INNOCENT CIVILLIAN AND NOW IM GOING TO MAKE THIS ALOT MESSIER FOR YOU!”
Winter Bliss bolted at James, going at unthinkable speeds. She put all her energy and built up anger into that one charge. The windows in the house shattered as wind from the built up storm pushed her forwards. Even though it was nearing summer, snow wiped around her as she barreled at the sinister prong. All of the energy and power was concentrated directly at James Prong who stood still, looking bored.
Bliss flew so fast that all she caught was his bored look then a flash of blinding light. Before she realized what had happened she broke through several walls of her house and out the other side. She slammed on the breaks and looked back through her damaged house. James was standing on the other side of her parents’ room, holding her bound father. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he grinned deviously at the young Pegasus.
Bliss sped up again to attack James but this time she sacrificed speed and power for accuracy. She shot through at still very impressive speeds. When she got near James she pretended to misdirect. She then turned and went right for him. As soon as she got near there was another flash and Bliss stopped while kicking and bolting randomly in the area.
She stood heaving heavily, looking at the spot where James had been only a split second before. She heard a chuckle behind her that prompted her to spin around. Standing in the doorway of her parent’s room was James. He was holding her father and chuckling haughtily at the flustered Pegasus.
He narrowed his eyes at Bliss slyly, “You are impressively fast Miss Winter Bliss but we prongs can ride lighting, as I have told you previously. Now I must be going to Aura my business awaits me. It’s been a pleasure madam Bliss.” James bowed low then grinned at Winter Bliss. As he bowed sirens started to sound in the distance. “Oh and do be a dear and give the authorities my warmest regards. Also visiting hours with your father will be between now and never.” James snickered at Bliss’ angry yet confused and depressed mood. “Well this is goodbye pip pip cheerio governor or whatever it is that you Equestrians think that we prongs say.” James rolled his eyes in amusement while chuckling.
Before Winter Bliss could react he was gone in a flash of light, taking her father with him. She sat down and started to cry silently. She failed, she had never failed at anything before, well besides flirting. Now her mother was dead and her dad was taken prisoner by an arrogant, overpowered prong that could move as fast as lightning.
As Bliss sat alone in her depressed state, the sirens grew closer. During this time a thought occurred to her. James was right, the authorities would be too slow and indecisive to save her father but she could act now. All she had to do was steal the air forces new top secret, high speed spy plane. It could go 5x RD (Rainbow Dash’s top speed) and could carry up to 15 ponies. It was also easy to maneuver and land, plus it was stealthy. It was just too perfect and she knew exactly where to go, Aura.
Without a seconds hesitation Bliss flew out of her house and into the base. She landed behind the heavily guarded hangar quietly. It was night and the commotion at her house had resulted in a smaller security force. Although as a result of her dad being captured security was also on high alert. It was a blessing and a curse, forcing Winter Bliss to be stealthy.
She was able to get past the fence guards and into the hangar by employing speed and timing. Once inside she saw a scene of pure chaos. For some reason the hangar doors were open and ponies were clamoring everywhere. Bliss stayed hidden for a long period of time, planning and looking for an adequate way to enter the plane. She eventually noticed sprinklers on the roof and a box of flares for the runway.
Winter Bliss quickly grabbed some flares and shot up to the sprinklers while lighting a single flare. She held the flare to the sprinkler until it went off, causing a chain reaction. As soon as all the sprinklers were active she dove outside and scattered several flares as distractions. She then flew wide and reentered the hangar from the same spot, only this time it was empty.
The military pegasi were all outside searching for the intruder and any problems it might have caused. Bliss knew they would soon return to investigate the sprinklers, so she hurriedly opened the side door to the plane and climbed in. She sat in the pilot’s chair and looked over the instruments. Her face was blank with confusion. She had flown several military planes before to test her speed but this was on a whole other level.
Bliss thought back on her previous plan. She wanted to take the plane for its speed, room, stealth and easy maneuverability. What she failed to realize is that all those things were possible because of the plane’s overly complicated mechanics. She quickly used what electronics she knew and fired up the engines.
Immediately military ponies started to stream back into the hangar, to investigate the sudden noise. Winter Bliss quickly got all the instruments she knew in order and began to move the plane. Soldiers everywhere flew around the plane, aiming guns and barking orders at Bliss. She ignored them all and concentrated on moving the plane through the now closing hangar door. Winter Bliss pushed the throttle forward, probably a little too forcefully. The plane lurched forward and then burst out of the hangar easily, going at incomprehensible speeds.
She quickly pulled up to avoid the city of Cloudsdale that she approached much too quickly. She readjusted course to Aura and attempted to find the autopilot. The plane started to sway and fall uncontrollably. Bliss quickly flipped some switches on a hunch and the plane righted itself. It began to gain speed passing 3…..4……5xRD as it sped towards the sky nation of Aura. The plane really was an engineering masterpiece of science and magic and it was full filing its purpose beautifully.
Winter Bliss thought to herself that she needed to sleep but the events of the day had no plans on rewarding her with rest. Instead her mind was a frenzy of thoughts. Depressing, self-demoralizing, hateful, vengeful but determined thoughts stormed in her mind. She didn’t even attempt to sleep, she just sat in the pilot’s seat, staring forward while lost in contemplation. She had her eyes dead set on Aura, on James and most of all on her father.
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Vespertilio was wandering the halls of her home in the dreary afternoon. Her home was not what most ponies would consider a home yet it was still home regardless. At a young age she was abandoned at the steps of the Celestial Orphanage in Aura. Even though Aura was a melting pot for all flying creatures, especially ponies, no one wanted to adopt a bat pony. All of the potential parents would see her neon green reptilian eyes and her large leathery bat wings and immediately go to look for other children to adopt.
It’s not that she was the only bat pony in Aura, in fact there were many but bat ponies are very tightly knit within their own families. Not leaving much room for an adopted child and all the other ponies were afraid of her. Aura actually had the highest concentration of bat ponies. At one point over a thousand years ago, bat ponies were just as common as pegasi. They were natives of a land near Equestria and many of them served Luna. When Luna became Nightmare Moon, many of them rebelled. In the war that followed they were driven from their homes and nearly pushed to extinction. Celestia even went as far as to affect their fertility, by cutting it in half because most ponies held resentment against them. Resentment that still lingers today. The remaining bat ponies either moved to the south glaciers, where they founded Aura with other outcasts or they joined Celestia’s night guard reluctantly. When Luna returned many hoped that they would get their land back but no such thing occurred. Still many bat ponies left to serve under Luna, in the safety of Equestria. So there wasn’t exactly a large market for orphan bat ponies, regardless of their population.
She was instead raised by Sister Divinity from a baby until adulthood rather than a bat family. She was the only pony that Ves had ever loved. She couldn’t remember her family and all the other kids left too quickly for her to make friends. So all she had was the head of the orphanage, Sister Divinity. As a result she became a loner. She worked hard in school and did plenty of chores for the orphanage, feeling that it was her responsibility to her adoptive home.
So as fate determined, Ves remained in the orphanage. When she became an adult she decided that she wanted to stay and work at the orphanage. It was the only home she had ever known and she felt like she owed it a debt. Vespertilio quickly became the orphanage’s hardest and most beloved worker. She would often run errands, such as grocery shopping for Sister Divinity. She would then return and cook the meals for the children. The children absolutely adored Ves. She could relate to them and she would often play and read to the fillies in her free time.
Today there was a cold drizzle descending on the cloud nation. A common occurrence in Aura, so much so that Ves paid no attention to the gloomy weather. She continued down the dark hallway to go meet Sister Divinity. Her dark royal purple coat looked even darker in the shadow filled hall. Her mane was long, spiked and swept to the side with black and light violet streaks. Her tail had the same coloration but was medium length and messy. She styled her mane after her favorite musician, Vinyl Scratch who was long dead by that point.
She idolized Vinyl and many other DJs. She even made music for the children which is partially how she earned her cutie mark. Her mark was of five silver sound waves, starting off small and getting larger. It was similar to the symbol on electronics when the volume is turned up but without the speaker. What was even more unique was the way she got her mark and how it actually came in two separate instances.
The first instance was when she was still a filly. She listened to her first Vinyl Scratch album and she was instantly hooked. She noticed how depressed all of the other fillies were and she wanted to cheer them up. With this idea in mind, she used her excellent bat hearing to try to mimic the notes on several different instruments. In that one day she played the guitar, drums and piano parts of several songs, just from hearing. All of the orphanage children would gather around her and watch in awe as she played so many instruments flawlessly. She even attempted to teach the other children how to play but none could match her skill or hearing abilities. Regardless it brought joy to the children and herself, resulting in 3 silver sound waves appearing on her flank.
The second instance was a bit less joyous. It was right after she started working for the orphanage. Ves talked Sister Divinity into letting her take the kids to a late night free concert farther in town. They were coming back late at night, taking alleyways as short cuts when a griffon cornered them in an alley. He pulled a large blade on the kids and demanded all their money. Ves continually told him that they were orphans and had no money but he wouldn’t listen. Eventually he got impatient and grabbed one of the children, holding the blade to her neck. This prompted Vespertilio to act. Her eyes glowed a bright green and the shadows moved, restraining the griffon. The griffon quickly broke free and lunged at Ves. Ves yelled for the children to cover their ears as she let out a glass shattering sonic screech. All the windows in the area shattered and the griffon laid on the ground, clutching his head. Ves quickly restrained him with shadows and escaped with the children. Once she and the kids got back to the orphanage she noticed (to her surprise) two more silver sound waves, larger and in front of the others, had appeared. The marks not only represented her musical and screeching talent but the lengths that she would go for others, to bring them joy or to protect them.
She continued to walk down the empty hall. Only her bright, neon green, reptilian eyes shown in the darkness. She finally reached the large dual wooden doors. She opened them slowly and light began to flood the hallway from within the room. She slowly crept into the room and waited at the back. Sister divinity was addressing the children. The old frail mare had a light tan coat and greying hair that was covered by her nun gown. Her frail wings hung limply next to her as she continued her lesson. She always wore that same caring smile, even in the worst of times. Her smile was especially loving now that she was teaching the children her favorite passage, which she was reading through her old glasses.
Sister Divinity was teaching the children from the Celestial book. The book teaches of the origins of time and the morals and purpose of the Goddesses, Celestia and Luna. The book also speaks of a prophesized third Goddess which held the children captivated. “Therefore in our darkest days, the heavens will part and she will descend to be among us, to be our salvation from the evil, and she will be called Caelus, the heavenly Goddess.”
Sister Divinity finished the passages and put the book down. The fillies started to exit the room, happily conversing with one another and often times greeting Vespertilio with huge smiles and hugs.
After all the children were gone Sister Divinity walked over to Ves smiling. “How are you Vespertilio?”
Ves smiled lovingly back. It was different from her usually distant smile. Even with the fillies that she cared for deeply she only smiled in a reserved manner. Her reasons were simple, fillies came and went, it’s best to not get attached yet it’s still important to be loving and generous. Sister divinity was Ves’ only constant, thus she gave her the loving smile. “I just finished cleaning the halls and I was just wondering if you had anything else for me to do.”
Sister Divinity smiled at Ves warmly. “You have always been a hard worker my dear. Now that I think of it we do need some more groceries.”
Ves immediately asked to do the errand, “I’ll get whatever you need. There and back, 10 seconds flat.”
Sister Divinity chuckled slightly but was interrupted by wheezing. Ves ran over to help the old nun. Ves had concern plastered on her face, “Are you okay? You should rest and I’ll take care of the orphanage. Do you need your meds?”
Sister Divinity looked at her meaningfully, “I’m quite alright dear, I’m just getting old. You can’t do everything on your own you know. You give more than enough to me, the fillies and this orphanage and you’re no Rainbow Dash. You can’t do everything in 10 seconds. You need rest and I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me. Just go get the groceries, I have the list and once you get back take a break.”
Ves took the list reluctantly but didn’t leave the Sister. “Are you sure? I can handle it, I promise.”
Sister Divinity shook her head and backed away from Ves. “No, I can handle the orphanage, I’ve been doing it for a century and I will continue till I die. If you want to help go get the groceries, I can’t be out in the rain anyways. Then you can help by getting some sleep, so that I can stop worrying about you all the time. It will give my worried mind a rest for once.”
Ves hesitated to leave which brought out Sister Divinity’s surprisingly stern side. “I said go. Goddess girl you can be stubborn, even if it is kind of sweet.”
Ves flinched and then made her way out the door. She turned around one last time, “I always loved that passage.”
Sister Divinity smiled at Ves, “I’ve always loved it to dearie.” Sister Divinity winked at Ves before she left from sight. The sister sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hoof. She started to talk out loud to herself, “That girl is our only hope, she just needs some friends to help her along the way.” The sister laughed heartily, “We’re doomed.”
Ves exited the orphanage and made her way down the street, through the constant drizzle. She was soaked almost instantly but it didn’t bother her. She spread her large leathery bat wings and flew to the nearest grocery store. She got there quickly and began to get the long list of groceries for the orphanage. After about an hour she finished.
As she was checking out she heard loud bangs outside. The bangs grew louder and were eventually accompanied by screams. Ves quickly got her bags and bolted out the door. She saw several fires closer to downtown. Even a few clouds were disintegrating and falling from the sky.
Ves was about to fly back to the orphanage when a massive, fiery purple ball tore through the buildings in front of her. When it passed the buildings were either in shambles or they were completely obliterated. She looked up and saw several more of these magical balls falling from the sky.
Ves quickly flew up into the air to see where they were coming from. She gazed off towards the coastal mountains to the north of the city. There she saw bright flashes of light, all along the forest lines of the mountains. The lights were followed by massive balls of magical energy being hurled at the city. The number of the magical objects only seemed to increase as time went on. They started landing all over the city, decimating anything in their path. Ves started to panic as the city fell apart around her. She didn’t know what to do as she witnessed her fellow citizens fleeing in full blown panic.
Ves finally got herself together and bolted towards the orphanage to get the children to safety. Once she got near her home several jets flew overhead. Sirens were going off and the intercoms were ordering all civilians to stay on the clouds unless there’s an emergency. Ves obeyed and landed as more planes flew overhead at low altitude.
Ves was approximately a block away from the orphanage. She could see the faces of several fillies who were looking out of the windows, some in awe, some in fear. Ves was determined to get the innocent children to safety. She began to gallop towards her only home when one of the massive balls started to fall from the sky. Ves looked at it in horror and then back down at the orphanage.
Ves readied herself to speed towards the door when the ball struck the side of the building. It destroyed half of the orphanage then proceeded to disintegrate part of the cloud below it. The structure started to collapse into itself, preventing any remaining survivors from escaping. The building Started to fall out of the sky and into the ice water far below. Ves started to fly at top speed as the building fell out of the sky. Large pieces, whole sections plummeted from the clouds and into the depths below. She finally reached the site of the orphanage as the last bit fell through the clouds, tumbling into the unforgiving ocean below.
Ves landed on a cloud next to the massive hole in the city. She peered over the edge and watched as the current swept up the debris. Her home, the only home she ever knew was gone and with it the lives of dozens of innocent kids. The only pony that she had ever loved was now somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. When the orphanage fell from the sky it took Ves’ entire life with it to a watery grave. Vespertilio laid down on the cloud and wept furiously as the destructive balls of magic fell all around her. Her life was gone, the mayhem around her was meaningless and she continued to sob.
Eventually she got up. She still had tears flowing from her eyes but now she had a new purpose. If she couldn’t save those that she lost then at the very least she could give them a proper burial. Ves stood at the edge of the gaping hole and she plunged down towards the ocean with new found purpose.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The room was dark yet there was a multitude of ponies running around frantically. The only light was the glow from the computers and the flashing red light of the alarm. A large maroon Pegasus with a gray mane stood in the middle of the chaos yelling out orders. The Pegasus was in full blown work mode and none of his soldiers even considered second guessing him.
In the back stood a large male griffon. He had an eagle’s head with silver feathers and large, sharp golden talons. His back half was that of a black panther. The griffon had a large sword on his back and two SMGs strapped to his side. The only thing he wore was a black chest plate with a white insignia on it. He stood on his back two paws, sharpening his talons out of boredom. Ponies ran all around him in a panicked state but they likewise paid him no heed.
The griffon looked up as the Pegasus yelled extremely loud out of frustration. “Hurry up! On the double soldiers! The city is falling out of the sky as we speak! Where the hell are my bombers!? Get them to decimate the mountain sides at once!”
The Pegasus started to pace impatiently, “How did the moose mount such a powerful attack without us knowing? Since when have the deer been so organized? And how the hell didn’t we have intelligence on this!?”
A large, overly buff, brown Pegasus came up and saluted the General. “General Fire Storm, we believe that the moose were using their powerful magic to hide their movements.”
General Fire storm flew into the brown Pegasus’ face, “I don’t give a damn about what you believe, I want you to fucking know! And why the hell are you just standing around?! Go bomb the fuck out of those mountains!”
The massive Pegasus stuttered in fear as he saluted, “Y-yyessss sssir!” He quickly flew off and none of the other soldiers even flinched.
The griffon grinned in the back while continuing to sharpen his talons. Fire Storm continued to rant, “I want these fucking moose dead! They are destroying my country! I want their homes burned and the survivors hung up on display! They will pay for this accursed fireball attack!”
A soldier sitting at a computer turned around and saluted the General. “General Fire Storm, the bombers have made contact. Several have been shot down but the attacks have waned significantly.”
Fire Storm flew above the rest of the soldiers, “Well it’s about damn time but I don’t want the attacks to wane, I want them to cease! I also want those damn moose killed then tortured!”
The soldier at the computer raised his eyebrow questionably, “Ummmm sir we can’t effectively torture something that’s dead. Do you mean torture then kill?”
Fire Storm started bellowing down at the soldier, “Oh shut the hell up and do your job! Nobody asked for your fucking opinion and nobody needs it!”
The soldier saluted, “Yes sir, sorry sir!”
Fire Storm landed next to the large muscular griffon. “I need to make some important phone calls in my office. Follow me Cutlass.” The griffon got on all fours and followed the General into the elevators. The doors opened up into a much brighter hallway yet there were still ponies running around chaotically throwing papers.
The General walked through the chaos like nothing was wrong, even though a large bang would shake the building periodically. The General turned to talk to Cutlass, “You know you’re the only one I can trust. All of my soldiers are untrustworthy, incompetent pieces of shit! But you, I know you will remain loyal. Do you know how?
Cutlass stared at Fire storm with his cold golden eyes. He responded coolly in his distant way, “How?”
The General beamed back at him with his orange eyes. He looked crazed and devious at the same time, like some evil genius. “Money Cutlass, money. I am your source of income, all of my soldiers are just placed under me, most of them unwillingly. But you are loyal because I pay you directly and at a high price I might add. You see Cutlass money is the greatest motive in the world. You can buy anything if you have enough of it, power, land, loyalty. It’s all attainable through the common denominator of money. You and I, we understand this, those stupid soldiers don’t. That’s why I can trust you, I am your income.”
Cutlass snorted, “What if someone pays me more to betray you?”
Fire Storm grinned greedily at Cutlass, “Well then I have lost and I deserve to lose but those soldiers only obey me out of fear. Fear is effective but it doesn’t gain trust.”
Cutlass narrowed his eyes at the General, “It seems unreliable. Money buys loyalty until someone with a bigger check comes along.”
Fire Storm still looked smug as he spoke, “That’s why I choose griffon mercs. You griffons are bound by the contracts you sign, it’s in your culture and your blood. Therefore your impeccable loyalty to the contract ensures your loyalty to me, once you sign it of course. That is until the contract expires.”
Cutlass sighed “I suppose that’s true.”
The General continued to walk forward with a prideful grin on his face. Cutlass only worked for the paranoid, arrogant General because the pay was good and the work was easy. When Cutlass and his sister were fairly young their father took a contract and never returned. By the time he was a young adult his mother had taken a contract to help the diamond dogs fight the buffalo. She died in combat, leaving Cutlass and his sister alone but now he could take care of himself. He was a quiet, cool, distant and ruthless griffon, making him a perfect mercenary. Fire Storm knew this and that’s why he hired him.
Cutlass followed the General obediently into his office. Fire Storm opened the door and walked in. There standing in his office, making coffee, was a prong wearing a tuxedo. The brown and white prong poured a cup of coffee then turned to look at the General. “Ah General Fire Storm, how nice of you to join me. You know it is quite rude to keep your guests waiting.” The prong took a sip of his coffee and grinned sadistically at the General. His accent seemed to give off almost too much formality. “I even took the liberty to make you coffee. Now wasn’t that generous of me?”
Cutlass immediately pulled out his two SMGs, holding them in his talons as he stood on his paws. Fire Storm pulled out a golden pistol and held it with his wing. All three guns were aimed at the prong who didn’t even flinch. Fire Storm started to demand answers, “What the fuck is a prong doing in my office!? How the hell did you get in here!? Speak now or else my office is going to have a new paint job!”
The prong took another sip from his coffee looking overly amused. “Is that anyway to treat your guests?”
Fire Storm yelled again, “Who the hell are you?!”
The prong set down his coffee and looked at the General with his small blue eyes. “Oh how rude of me! I have yet to introduce myself. I am Prong, James Prong of his Excellency’s special service. Now I am here to pick up a very valuable package.”
Fire Storm snarled at the prong, “I have no package for a dirty prong such as yourself! Now get out of my office before I blow your fucking brains out!”
James sighed, “Tsk tsk, such language from such an esteemed leader. It’s unfortunate that society has fallen this far. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Fire Storm cocked his gun and growled, “I’m sick of playing games!”
James looked pleasantly surprised, “Oh, so you will come with me willingly? Good, fighting is so barbaric. Your friend is already back at HQ waiting for some company.”
Fire Storm hesitated, “My friend?”
James raised his eyebrow “Well yes, General Overcast of course. Who else? Haven’t you heard?”
Fire Storm looked stunned, “Heard what about the General. I haven’t heard anything, I’ve been dealing with this attack from the moose.”
James nodded understandingly “Ah yes, the uncivilized deer are attacking. Disgusting creatures aren’t they? No respect for proper war or living. Such a shame, they were once a revered and sophisticated species. Now back to business.” James pointed at Cutlass with a hoof, “You, make yourself useful and get me a martini, shaken not stirred. The General and I have business to attend to in private. You see General Overcast is going to be spending some time with me and you’re going to be joining us General Fire Storm.”
Cutlass growled ferociously at James. Fire Storm grinned arrogantly at James, “I won’t be going anywhere with you. I bet you didn’t know that when I draw my gun the military is alerted from a tracker inside my holster. They will be here any second.” Fire Storm laughed haughtily as if he had just won.
James chuckled slightly “Oh but I do know, General.”
Just then the door opened and five soldiers flew in with assault rifles aimed at James. The soldiers yelled at James to freeze. James only looked slightly amused, “I actually prefer shock gentlemen.” Several bolts of lightning struck each soldier in the chest. The soldiers fell to the ground with large burn marks on their chests. The burns were smoking and the soldiers appeared to be dead.
James chuckled manically, “Well wasn’t that entertaining? I do love electricity, so much cleaner than guns.”
Fire Storm looked scared and panicked as he yelled for Cutlass, “Fire Cutlass, fire!”
Cutlass unleashed a flurry of bullets at James. As soon as Fire Storm yelled, James launched himself into the air with lightning. He leapt over the desk, dodging the onslaught of bullets and in the blink of an eye he was on Cutlass. He struck the griffon in his chest plate with his hoof that was flowing with an electrical current. Cutlass was thrown back against the wall with a burn on his chest.
Cutlass wasn’t dead but he was rendered unconscious. His thick skin and armor prevented any permanent damage unlike the unclothed soldiers who were instantly killed. James looked at the griffon curiously, “Looks like I’ll have to turn up the voltage for that one or just use a bullet. Hmmmm bullets are quite messy, what to do, what to do……?”
James put his hoof to his chin, pondering which course of execution he should take. Fire Storm took this opportunity to fire several shots at the prong. James continued to ponder as an electrical wall sprung up between him and the General. The bullets fell to ash in front of James who turned to the General, smiling insanely. “Oh that was a truly feeble attempt General. How disappointing, I expected better from the world renowned General Fire Storm.”
James disappeared in a flash of light. The General stood shocked until he turned around. James’ face was nearly touching the General’s face. “Surprised General?” Fire Strom brought his gun up but James instantly shocked it out of his wing as he leaned in closer. “I’m not going to kill you General. Just come with me peacefully so that we may conduct our business.” James grabbed the General and pinned him up against the wall with a sly grin. He then looked at the unconscious Cutlass with a frown, “I never did get that martini. How unfortunate. Never the less we have to get back to Hong Prong. Overcast is awaiting your arrival General.”
Fire Storm looked out of the window to his right and his eyes grew wide. James raised his eyebrows, “Don’t tell me you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel General. I’ve hardly touched you and if you have a heart attack I’ll just shock you to life again. I won’t allow you to die, we still have business to attend to back at HQ.”
The General was still staring out of the window in shock. James turned his head to see what the General was looking at. As soon as he did a blue blur rammed into him. James flew against the opposite wall where he was pinned by a small light blue Pegasus. James was startled at first but he quickly regained his composure and grinned at the Pegasus, “Miss Winter Bliss, how kind of you to join us. I was just getting my second package, a friend for your father. Now I must ask how did you find me so quickly? I am quite impressed that you were able to get here, find me and then pin me to a wall.”
Winter Bliss Grinned cockily up at the equally arrogant prong. “I took a very special plane. In that plane there is a device that detects high concentrations of magic. When I noticed a large amount of energy coming from General Fire Storm’s office I knew it was you. Then it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment. Simple really.”
James grinned in his same devious fashion. There was a bright light and James was no longer pinned by Bliss. Bliss growled in frustration and turned to see James holding the General by his neck. “Very Impressive my dear. Please allow me to congratulate you with a round of applause.” James stomped his hoof and the whole room echoed with a clap of thunder. “Yes bravo. Well done indeed.”
Winter Bliss hissed at James, “Give me back my father and I might just kill you quickly.”
James busted out laughing haughtily, “You’re in no position to make demands my dear but it was quite adorable.”
Winter Bliss growled and then she noticed movement to her right. A large silver and black griffon was getting up while he starred at James, glaring piercing daggers at him from his eyes.
James rolled his eyes, “Great now this one is awake. Don’t worry I’ll make sure you stay down after this shock.” James then glared at Bliss, “And you miss Bliss, you really do want me to kill you just like I killed your mother.”
Winter Bliss snarled at James. Cutlass got up and aimed his guns at James. For a moment everyone was still. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Winter Bliss spread her wings and got into a takeoff stance. Cutlass spread his wings and tightened his grip on his guns. James just looked forward with electricity flowing around him. His usually devious grin was replaced with a mask of stoicism.
Winter Bliss shot at James going full speed but at the last second she veered out of the window and into the clouds above. This distracted James who teleported out of the way while keeping his eyes on Bliss. Cutlass took this opportunity and got close to James. He drew his steel sword and swung it a James, cutting his leg. James jumped back and released the General. He snarled then shot several bolts of lightning at Cutlass but Cutlass was prepared this time. He spread his wings and flapped them hard, propelling him to the side.
Cutlass landed on all fours and charged James before he could fire again. Cutlass swept his talons across James’ chest, drawing blood and tearing his tuxedo. Cutlass then used his wings to dodge several more bolts. Cutlass threw one of his SMGs at Fire Storm who used it to suppress James. James was concentrating solely on his electric wall to block the bullets. Cutlass flanked him and planted a heavy kick to his face with his back paws, drawing more blood.
James flew against the far wall in a daze. Fire Storm reloaded his SMG as Cutlass lunged at the wounded prong. Right before Cutlass landed on James there was a bright light and he was behind the General, staggering with blood oozing from his chest. Fire Storm leapt back and shot at James who just disintegrated the bullets. Cutlass ran from the other side of the room straight for James but James didn’t react until Cutlass was almost next to Fire Storm. As soon as the griffon and the General were close, James disappeared in a flash of light. He reappeared in between them as Cutlass passed the General. James did a light taze to the General then blasted Cutlass with lightning.
Cutlass landed against the wall, his armor burned through and his breathing burdened. James stepped past the unconscious General and towards Cutlass. Blood was flowing from James’ face and his chest profusely. James levitated out a handkerchief and dabbed some of the blood on his face. He looked at the already red cloth disdainfully. He then levitated out a pistol with a large silencer on it and aimed it at Cutlass. “You really have become a nuisance. You ruined my handkerchief with my own blood. This time I won’t make the mistake of letting you live.” James actually appeared furious, his brows were set and his eyes were narrowed. He sneered at the injured griffon as he put his gun to Cutlass’ head.
James was about to fire when a torrent of wind and twisting snow plummeted through the roof. The wind was spiraling down at a point like a twister wrapped in snow yet it had a direction to it. The barrage of weather curved and struck James hard, propelling him out of the window. The winds died down and in its place stood an angry Winter Bliss. “That was for my mother you bastard!”
Winter Bliss ran over and helped up the injured Cutlass. Cutlass grimaced as he stood on all fours, his breathing was labored to say the least. “Do you think that got him?” Cutlass asked in a deep growling voice.
Winter Bliss stared out of the window intently, “I doubt it but it bought us time.”
The time was very short lived. The whole side of the building was blown off by a surge of electricity. Bliss looked where the wall had once been and in its place was open sky. Just outside the room James stood on arching bolts of lightning that flashed in and out. Lightning flowed all around him, obstructing their view and blinding them. James had a face of pure hatred on him as he stood on striking lightning. The electricity danced around him chaotically but he seemed to have control over it. His blue eyes were now flowing with electricity and currents traveled all across his body. His tuxedo was burnt to a crisp as the waves of electricity passed over him.
James held his head high and yelled at the group, “ENOUGH! I WILL NOT BE MADE A FOOL OF BY A CHILD AND A MERCENARY. NOW YOU DIE!!!!”
Before James did anything multiple helicopters rose from the clouds behind him. Soldiers flooded the skies and clouds around him, all aiming their guns at him. A loud megaphone boomed from one of the many attack helicopters that loaded missiles, ready to fire. “Halt, this is the Aura Air Force and we have you surrounded! Land on the clouds and cease your magic or else we will be forced to fire on you!”
James screamed in anger, his calm, posh persona was absolutely gone by this point. James was in an absolute furry. Electricity surged around him pushing the copters away as he screamed at Bliss. “I AM TAKING THE GERNEAL BACK TO MY COMMANDER GENERAL MOUNTGOMERY AND YOU WILL NO LONGER INTERVINE!!!!”
A huge ball of electricity formed around James. The electricity wrapped around him and pulsed for a time. It then released in a blinding flurry. The shockwave from the electricity put the attack copters into tail spins and knocked down all the soldiers. When the light dimmed James had the General on his back. He sneered at Winter Bliss and then was gone in a flash.
Winter Bliss slowly got to her hooves as the soldiers around her groaned in agony. Winter Bliss rubbed her head, the shock had given her a splitting headache. She mumbled to herself in exasperation and annoyance, “Great now I have to fly to Hong Prong. Through enemy air space and into their espionage headquarters.”
The griffon named Cutlass slowly stood up behind her. He was breathing heavily as he addressed Bliss in a raspy voice, “Take me with you.”
Winter Bliss spun around in shock. “You! Why would you want to go to Hong Prong?”
Cutlass sighed, “He kidnapped the General and I need money from him.”
Winter Bliss looked at him suspiciously, “I’m going to save my father. I am also trying to end the war and this is a good step to accomplish both for me. So the question is, why should I trust someone who’s only in it for money?”
Cutlass sighed through his pained breathing, “I hate the war too. The war has harmed me much in the same way as you.”
Cutlass looked at the ground stoically. He attempted to keep his demeanor and his distance from the suspicious Pegasus. Winter Bliss narrowed her eyes, “Oh really. How so?”
Cutlass looked at Bliss hesitantly, not knowing if he wanted to tell her. “The deer captured my sister to do flight experiments on her. They demanded a ransom for her return, hence my need to retrieve the General from the prongs to get that money.”
Winter Bliss wasn’t even attempting to hide her suspicion now, “What? That makes no sense. Why would the deer capture her for experiments and then demand a ransom? Also what would the deer want with pony currency?”
Cutlass huffed in irritation. “What they want is easiest to obtain by using money. Once I have the money I can get it to them. Please she’s my only family. My parents died awhile back and we’re all that we have. I’m nervous because this makes me look weak and I hate being weak. I don't like talking about it. Family isn't a pleasant subject for me. So please help me get my sister back by getting me to Hong Prong. Besides I will help you retrieve your father.”
Winter Bliss looked Cutlass over then sighed. “Fine, just stick with me and do what I say.”
Cutlass mumbled something under his breath but Winter Bliss couldn’t hear it. Bliss flew out of the window and off to the north. Cutlass followed close behind her. Winter Bliss was going to board the plane that was floating, hidden above the city. Before she got in she looked down and noticed a crowd of Pegasi surrounding a gaping hole in the city. The attacks had since ceased and the civilians were flooding the streets. What caught Bliss’ attention besides the giant hole, was a strange Pegasus. The Pegasus had a dark coat and she was continuously diving into the hole then coming back with bodies, small bodies.
Winter Bliss slowly started to drift towards the hole. She was in a type of distracted stupor, being drawn to the scene. Cutlass raised his brow at her and quickly flew to catch up. Bliss landed on the edge of the hole and gazed down. It was a shear drop down into icy water. Debris was being pushed around by the current and the strange dark purple Pegasus was flying out of the water. “What’s going on here?” Winter Bliss asked out loud to no one in particular.
A strange, light orange Pegasus with spiked wings answered her somberly. “This used to be an orphanage. It was hit during the moose attack, the whole place fell into the ocean. So far there are no survivors. It’s the largest causality toll so far and they’re mostly children. Such a tragedy.”
Winter Bliss rubbed the back of her head. “So who’s the strange Pegasus then?”
The orange Pegasus answered solemnly with tears forming in her eyes. “Oh that’s Vespertilio and she’s a bat pony. She worked at the orphanage…….well she was raised there. It’s the only home she ever knew. She was out running errands and came back to see the building get destroyed with the fillies trapped inside.”
Bliss frowned and turned around to see Cutlass sitting behind her with no emotion, just staring at her coolly. Bliss lowered her eyes, “That’s awful but what is she doing? Does she really expect to find survivors and why isn’t anypony helping?”
The Pegasus sighed and shook her head, “She knows there are no survivors. She’s just recovering bodies. I’m sure most of us would help if we could but we’d freeze in that water.”
Winter Bliss looked confused, “Well then how can she dive in and out of the water?”
The Pegasus raised her brow at Bliss, “You’re not from around here are you? As I’m sure you know pegasi are very resilient against weather, especially temperature but freezing water will get to us quickly. Bat ponies’ coats and leathery skin is more water resilient so they can handle it better, plus she’s too determined to care about the cold.”
Bliss started to get frustrated, “Well then where are all the other bat ponies? Why aren’t they helping?”
The Pegasus grimaced, “Bat ponies are tightly knit and keep to their families. Ves doesn’t have a family so they’re not really willing to help.”
Winter Bliss started huffing in anger, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! That’s it I’m helping!” Ves flew up and dropped off another young corpse next to the others. Before she dove into the water again Winter Bliss called out to her. “Hey you! Yeah Vespertilio, I’m going to help you!”
Ves turned around in shock and stared at the little blue Pegasus. Bliss was startled by her bright neon green eyes that had slits instead of pupils. The bat pony was soaked but the water was slipping off of her. She was shivering but only slightly which was impressive in itself. Winter Bliss noticed her leathery wings and her eyes all at the same time. Bliss finally got over the shock, she was kicking herself for being surprised. Ves was a bat pony, what did she think she was going to look like? All of the ponies including Ves looked at her like she was an idiot. Winter Bliss got her cocky attitude back and yelled out in confidence to the onlookers. “They don’t call me Winter Bliss for nothing!”
Before anyone could tell her she was being stupid, Bliss dove into the water at blinding speeds. The ice cold water hit her like a brick. Bliss almost released her breath but she held it out of determination. She could feel her body tensing up and fatiguing quickly. She was having an extremely hard time concentrating and her vision was blurry. Everything ached but she pushed to a large part of the building at the bottom of the ocean.
She dove down quickly and broke through a thick wall. Her whole body felt like it was being compressed and her lungs were on fire. She didn’t have the momentum under water that she thought and her body was paying for it. She quickly looked around and noticed an older mare floating near a book. There were no other bodies in the vicinity so Bliss grabbed her and quickly shot up to the surface.
When she broke the surface she quickly gasped for breath. Each breath was pained but they were each a glorious blessing. Bliss slowly started flapping her wings while pulling up on the body. Her breathing and motions were all labored. Everything hurt and she was shivering uncontrollably.
All of the ponies up top just looked down in complete shock. None of them expected her to surface again. Cutlass dove down and grabbed Bliss and the corpse lightly in his talons. He dropped the body off next to the others and laid Bliss down nearby. Immediately several ponies came over to dry her off and give her medical attention. Bliss heard the crowd saying things like hero and so brave but it was Cutlass’ remark that caught her attention. He was standing over her, glaring down at her with his golden eyes, “Idiot.” He then walked away and Bliss chuckled lightly to herself. Cutlass went a ways behind her and several pegasi went to treat his burns.
One thing that she eventually noticed was that Ves was nowhere to be seen. As soon as that thought crossed her mind Ves flew out of the hole with a filly in her arms. Ves laid the body down and then noticed the commotion to her side. Her neon green eyes locked onto to Bliss. Her gaze then traveled to the body of the old, frail, tan mare near Bliss. The old mare was wearing a black cowl and Ves was hesitantly walking towards her body with wide eyes. She stopped and stood over the body. A single tear fell from her face and she smiled lightly. “It’s……..It’s really her.” Ves looked back at Winter Bliss with a grateful smile, her eyes tearing up. “You got her? She was so far down and the building was in tatters. I didn’t think I could ever get her. Yet a Pegasus who’s not even from here, risked her life for a stranger. You could’ve died but you still went down and got her for someone you’ve never even met.”
Bliss just grinned in a prideful way at Ves. “I’d do it for anyone, really it’s not a big deal. You needed help and no one was giving it to you, so I did.”
Vespertilio’s grin grew larger and she ran over to Bliss, crushing her in an embrace. “Oh thank you, thank you so much!”
Bliss was gasping for air as Ves tightened her grip. She eventually eased up and held Bliss in her hooves. Ves looked into Bliss’s electric blue eyes with her neon green ones. She leaned in and kissed Bliss on the lips passionately. She then released Bliss and dove back down the hole in the clouds.
Bliss sat completely stunned. Almost like she was in a coma or in her own world. Her whole face was a burning bright red. Everyone just sort of looked away except for Cutlass. He was a little ways behind Bliss, smirking immaturely with his golden beak at the scene. Bliss didn’t even move, still blushing furiously until Ves reappeared. She had the book in her hooves that Bliss saw underwater. Ves laid the book on the mare and stood over her in silence. She was staring down at the body with a mixture of sadness and joy.
The sight snapped Bliss out of her embarrassing stupor as she trotted over to Ves. She sat down next to the bat pony and looked at the body in confusion. Winter Bliss looked at Ves somberly, “Was she important to you?”
Ves sighed and a few tears escaped her eyes, “She was the only pony who was always there for me. She never left and I loved her for her care. I did everything I could to give back to her and my only home……now it’s all gone.” Ves looked a Bliss with a small sad smile, “I’m sure you find it weird that I’m happy yet sad. I’m sad for obvious reasons. I saw my home destroyed and all the fillies and the pony I loved as a mother die. Yet you gave me hope. I didn’t think I could recover her but now, thanks to you here she is. I even went through the entrance you made and got her book.” Ves smiled back at the body that looked almost serene. “She looks so peaceful. I know she’s in a better place, a place where she can be embraced by Caelus.”
Bliss had no idea what she was talking about but it seemed important to her. Bliss stared in silence at the bat pony for a long time before she asked a question. “Ummmmm Ves. You said that you don’t have a home anymore, soooooo…..I was ummmmm wondering if maybe?”
Vespertilio looked at Winter Bliss with her glowing eyes expectantly. Bliss continued to stutter as she started to blush under Ves’ gaze. “Well……would you maybe like to come with us? Cutlass and me I mean. We have a plane and we’re going to the Ibex Empire to get my father and General Fire Storm. We also want to try and end this war in any way that we can and I just figured that you’d want to come along. You must hate the war too and we could be like your home and family.”
Ves smiled with joy in her eyes. She then looked back at the bodies. “I’d love to but I need to burry these bodies first. I most certainly do hate this war. It’s the reason I have to burry all of these fillies and Sister Divinity while my home is at the bottom of the ocean.”
Winter Bliss perked up, “Well my plane is quite large so we could put the bodies in the storage compartment. Besides where are you going to bury them in the clouds. We’ll take them over the mountains and lay them to rest together.”
Ves didn’t know what to say. She was so touched by this stranger’s kindness and generosity. So instead of saying something meaningful, Ves just used some lame reasoning, “But that’s deer land and beyond it is Zebrica.”
Winter Bliss rolled her eyes and grinned smugly, “Don’t worry about them, you have me with you. Nobody would dare attack you if I’m present. I’ll whoop all their asses so fast that they won’t even know what hit them.”
Ves smiled stupidly at Bliss, showing her fang like teeth for the first time. She embraced Bliss again, “Oh I’m sure we’ll be safe if you’re on our side. No deer would dare touch us.”
Both of the ponies stood up and walked over to Cutlass who was sitting on a nearby cloud, smirking viciously at the two ponies. He landed next to them and that’s when it struck Bliss. She was by far the smallest of the three. She didn’t even come up to Cutlass’ shoulders and Ves was at least half a head taller than her.
Both Ves and Cutlass noticed Bliss’ irritated look. Ves looked confused by her contorted face, “What is it Bliss?”
Bliss huffed in annoyance as she asked Ves a question, “How old are you?”
Ves raised an eyebrow, “Ummmm, 27.”
Winter Bliss flipped out, “27! YOU’RE STILL TALLER THAN ME AND YOUR ONLY 27! I’M 17, THIS IS SO UNFAIR! I’M ALWAYS THE SMALLEST!”
Ves started to chuckle, “That’s what’s wrong? I’m ten years older than you, I’m sure you will grow. Besides you’re just a filly and a little cutey at that.”
Cutlass smirked evilly at Bliss who was mad and blushing. Cutlass put his talon on Bliss’ head and patted it softly, “Awwww the pipsqueak is angry, how cute.” Cutlass remarked in an extremely mocking tone.
Bliss was shaking with anger. She had the most indigent look on her face that either of them had ever seen. “PIPSQUEAK!!! I’LL KICK YOUR FEATHERY ASS TO THE MOON AND THEN OUT FLY YOU WHILE IM AT IT! I SEEM TO REMEMBER ME SAVING YOU FROM JAMES OR HAVE YOU ALREADY FORGOTTEN?!”
Cutlass and Ves busted out laughing at Bliss’ tantrum. They flew the whole way up to the plane while laughing. Bliss angrily strapped herself in the pilot’s seat and started up the plane. Cutlass loaded up the bodies and then curled into a ball in the back. Ves sat next to Bliss still chuckling lightly.
Bliss set coordinates to a valley in between the forests and Zebrica. The plane flew forward reaching top speed. The sun was setting in the distance and Bliss was getting tired. She had been up for two whole days and the silence wasn’t helping. So to keep herself awake she asked Ves an embarrassing question. “Soooooo…..Ves. About that kiss…..”
Winter Bliss was blushing furiously and Vespertilio looked at her blushing just as much. “Oh yeah……that. Ummmm, I didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t get the wrong idea, I like stallions I was just overly emotional. You know my home destroyed and then you just come along and selflessly help me. I just kind of overreacted out of happiness. Sorry.”
Winter Bliss shook her head furiously while talking quickly, “No! It’s okay, I like stallions too! I’m just not good at talking to them! The kiss was just unexpected that’s all! Haha!”
Ves released a sigh of relief, “Good. Now we can move on as friends.”
Bliss nodded her head rapidly, “Yep, friends.”
The plane slowed down and the navigation beeped at Bliss. She looked at it and to her relief they had arrived at the burial site. Eager for a change in subject, Bliss commented on it. “Oh look we’re already here. This plane never ceases to amaze me.”
Ves looked at Bliss sadly. “I hope I’m not over stepping my boundaries but what happened to your father? Why exactly do you need to go to the Ibex Empire? Also how did you and Cutlass become friends? He seems kind of distant.”
Winter Bliss sighed but not out of exasperation, out of relief. She was glad that Ves was so willing to change subjects. Bliss told Ves everything from James killing her mother and capturing her father, to meeting Cutlass and how they ended up traveling together. She explained Cutlass’ story and James’ mission all the way up to Bliss helping Ves. While she explained the story to both Cutlass and Ves, they buried the bodies in a valley. It took several hours to bury the bodies, lasting late into the night. During this time tears were shed between Ves and Bliss The whole time Bliss and Ves talked while Cutlass worked in stoic silence.
Once they finished they set off in the plane towards Hong Prong. Cutlass stayed in the back sleeping while Ves talked to Bliss all night long to keep her awake. They talked and joked about everything. They often times had to console each other over their losses, crying into each other Throughout the night they became close friends while Cutlass kept his distance.
They crossed the ocean and after a long period of time they saw land. By the time they neared the border mountains between the pony lands and the Ibex Empire, the sun was rising. The sun caressed the massive snowcapped peaks. It was a beautiful sight and the two girls couldn’t avert their eyes. Even Cutlass came to the front and gazed at the towering mountains in awe.
Their amazement was cut short when several alarms went off. Bliss looked frantically at several blinking lights. Ves looked scared, “Bliss, what do those lights mean?”
Bliss grimaced, “Well we’re low on fuel and magical energy. We need to land quickly. I’ll try to find a spot to land.” Bliss looked over the navigation until she found a valley with a massive cave nearby. “There, we can land in the valley, park the jet in this massive cave then take shelter there. As a bonus it’s near the mountain passage to the Empire. This is probably for the best, flying to Hong Prong would’ve been risky.”
Winter Bliss started to lower the plane into the valley. The touch down was rough but there was no significant damage. Bliss drove the plane into the cave that was larger than the hangar she stole it from. The group got out of the plane, taking several supplies with them. The cave went far back with complex turns and passages. The group decided it would be best to stay near the front of the cave.
The three fliers went to the front of the cave and looked out at the snow covered range. Bliss breathed in the fresh mountain air. “We will get him. We will get James and rescue my father and Fire Storm. Then we’ll end this awful war that only causes pain.”
Cutlass gazed off into the distance. “As inspirational as this is I think I’m going to go hunt for some food.”
Bliss rolled her eyes. “Yeah thanks. Now I’m going to go to sleep since you ruined my moment. I’m beat, night everyone. Well I mean morning…….you know what I mean.”
Bliss went into the plane to sleep and Cutlass took off into the mountains. Ves remained at the caves opening alone. She gazed wondrously at her surroundings. She thought to herself about everything that had happened. He mind was flooded with emotions. She had hope for the future. Hope that her friends could get her through anything. She yawned and turned to go back into the plane. As she walked into the cave, she thought she heard a deep growl from farther within the cave. She quickly dismissed it as her fatigue and the emotional toll of the day. She climbed into the plane and looked at the passed out Pegasus. She smiled and climbed into the cot next to her. Her eyes were closing and she thought to herself, “I have friends and a home now. Yeah…..everything’s going to be okay."