Mission 3: The Crystal Eye
The war seemed to unfold in the blink of an eye, although it seemed oblivious to me, mostly because I was busy scanning the skies every day, waiting for Red Blood One to reappear, but from that moment, everything changed. The things they were teaching us at school to the way we were being treated.
I moved in with my uncle in town, who use to be a carriage puller, but ever since the griffons confiscated his carriage, they claimed that they needed it for the war efforts, all he could do was sit around the house eating donuts all day.
I earned my keep by playing the harmonica at Donut Joe's shop, the one thing I was good at. I'd play for several griffons in exchange for charity in loose change. I'd use the money to support my uncle and myself.
My uncle would always trash talk Donut Joe for catering to the griffons, but would never refuse the money I brought home, typical.
As for myself, one night, a group of foals came into the shop. Among them was a beautiful, golden, red headed filly. She seemed to be around my age. I had a big crush on her.
Another day passed, yet still no sign of the fighter, Red Blood One, in the skies above Canterlot.
***
As time went on, I soon found out what the griffons were building. They were constructing their canons north of Ponyville. That would probably explain why they were using mostly unicorns for their dirty work. Now the question is, why are they building it here. No pony knew, but I wasn't going to waste another second fumbling around doing nothing. It has been a difficult time trying to find a way into Canterlot. My daughter is still alone there and I'm going to reunite her with her mother.
***
Mission Briefing:
"Alright, before I brief you on the mission, I need to inform you on one thing. According to what our scouts have reported, the griffons are building their canons, right around here," he said, pointing at the open space in between Ponyville and Canterlot.
"Why are they building their canons there, last I checked, they wouldn't work without... Uh no," said Celestia. Her mood turned from confusion to worry.
The General continued on. "Ever since the kings came to power, they requested the canons to be studied, to see what other uses it might have besides shooting down asteroids. What they found isn't good. Apparently, they found out that the guns could be used as an anti air weapon, capable of wiping out an entire army of pegasi fighters."
"Then we have to go and destroy that thing!" Rainbow Dash said flying out of her seat. Twilight wrapped her friend in a tight magical grip and set her back down into her seat.
"I'm afraid we can't do it at the moment. Enemy resistance is too strong in that area. For now, we need to push our way back towards the mainland. Also, with this weapon, they have complete air superiority in the skies above the mainland."
"How far are the canons affective range?" Spitfire asked.
Ironhoof took a moment analyzing a some data inside a folder before giving Spitfire her answer. "Almost all of Equestria. Although, it seems that it doesn't reach the west cost, and the Crystal Mountains. Which is perfect when why try to reclaim the mainland."
"Ok, now that I got that out of the way, it's time for the mission briefing," he said before clearing his throat.
"Our forces are retreating, and it seems that our survivors are gathering in the Crystal Empire."
"What's strange is that according to the guards there, they haven't seen a lot of signs of any griffons attacking."
"It seems that the griffons are unaware of the Empire's existence," Celestia added.
"Now, the radar facilities atop the Crystal Mountains provide tactical support to the enemy, which puts our evac mission in jeopardy."
"If our troops can successfully evacuate and regroup at North Pony, they will become a formidable force in future battles."
"Wonderbolt Squadron, your mission is to go out and destroy the radar facilities atop the Crystal Mountains, thereby blinding the enemy and hiding our troop movements."
The screen then showed the deployment map. It showed a small scale mountain range with several red dots on them that indicated the radar around the ridge.
"I don't think they've activated the radar yet, which means that I'm going to need some pony to contact Princess Cadance and Shining Armor of the current situation."
"I'll take care of that," Luna said as she bolted out the door.
"You can count on us general," Soarin replied with a salute.
"I'm now going to pass it it over to Princess Twilight Sparkle. For she has something to show you all," Ironhoof said as the lights came back on.
Twilight stepped up in front of the group of ponies with an over stuffed saddle bag on her back.
"Thank you general, now, I have been working with Applejack and Rarity, along with the rest of the Royal Guard, and we've developed a special weapon for this specific type of mission."
She took the saddlebag off and placed it on the floor. She then pulled out an oval, egg shaped object. "This here is what we call a bomb. With it, you can take out multiple ground targets in a single sweep!"
"Whoa, awesome!" Rainbow Dash said. She went and grabbed a bomb from the bag.
"CAREFUL!!! I have enough of these to take out this entire H.Q." Twilight said nervously. Rainbow Dash took the hint and placed the bomb back in the bag.
"Listen, this is a tool, not a toy. So when you start using them on the battlefield, don't get carried away,"
"Yea yea," Rainbow Dash Replied with an annoyed look on her face.
•••
Mission Start
All pegasi were flying through the mountain range of the Crystal Mountains.
"This combat area is within the enemy air space. Keep an eye out for bandits. Use vector 180 to return home after destroying the target."
"Such an amazing scenery, don't you think?" Rapid Fire said in complete awe.
"I'm freezing my ass off out here," Soarin complained.
"Quit your bellyaching and get a move on," Spitfire ordered. Soarin simply snickered at that.
"Wonderbolt Squadron, The Crystal Empire has just put up a cloaking shield to keep it hidden from enemy radar. They couldn't have asked for better timing. The Griffons have just activated it."
"Well then, lets go shut them down!" exclaimed Rainbow.
"This is Stalker Radar, we've got several bandits at vector 135!"
"Clear to engage, Rainbow One, engage,"
"Roger that Twilight," Rainbow replied.
In the distance, she could see two griffons flying right at them. She aimed down the sight on her sniper rifle and through the scope she could perfectly see the two griffons. Aligning her shot, she pulled down on the trigger and shot the first griffon. Quickly she did the same to the other.
"Shot two down," Rainbow praised.
"Don't get too excited newby, you still haven't experienced true fighting," Spitfire said, putting a damper on Rainbow Dash's praising. She rolled her eyes and kept on flying in the same direction. They were coming up one of the two radar locations. There were also several griffons patrolling the area. Spitfire ordered her squadron to halt and take over behind a nearby cloud.
"Ok, here's the situation. There are several bandits over there guarding the radar. Soarin Two and Rapid Two, you will distract them and take em' out while Rainbow One and I destroy the radar facilities," Spitfire commanded.
"Ma'am yes ma'am," Soarin responded. Both Wonderbolts gave a final salute before taking off. A few seconds later, gunshots were heard from the other side of the cloud, which was Rainbow and Spitfire's cue to move. They jumped up from behind the cloud and saw Soarin and Rapid flying in a crazy waltz while killing several griffons who dared to come close to them. It was the perfect distraction.
"Engage hostile enemy fighters and keep them from the radar." One griffon commanded over the radio.
"I got you know and... Got him!" Soarin exclaimed.
"This is Black 11, I'm wounded!" The wounded griffon said.
"One of ours went down!" Another said.
"Alright Rainbow One, hang on tight to those bombs, cuz we're gunna blow up the radar shortly!" Spitfire reminded "And remember, your greatest enemy is the ground, so don't get shot down."
"Yea yea," Rainbow Dash replied.
"The radar will be lined up along the ridge, so don't miss"
Rainbow Dash quickly took out another griffon before she placed her rifle to the side and took out a bomb from her pack. Once she was above one of the dome shaped radar stations, she armed the bomb and dropped it over the station.
"Bombs away!" She exclaimed. A moment later, a huge ball of fire emanated from where the station used to be. Both pegasi repeated the process by blowing up the rest of the radar stations until there was nothing left to blow to bits.
"Radar, do you read me? Aw shit! The radar's gone silent," a griffon said over the radio.
"Ha ha, in your face, now come on lets go relieve our friends," Spitfire said this as she pulled out her SMG. Rainbow did the same by pulling out her sniper rifle. The looked around and saw Soarin holding a griffon at point blank range. Both pegasus raced to Soarin's aid.
"Alright birdy, time to die!" he exclaimed, putting emphasis on die.
"Soarin, what in the world are you doing?" asked Spitfire.
"Well, while you and Rainbow One were having fun blowing stuff up here and there, Rapid Two and I were busy taking out all the guards here. And let me tell ya this, We were surrounded by ten of these things. Rapid only cowered behind me while I stood up against those griffons and took them all out with a single clip! Caught this one here trying to alert his buddies over at the other radar facilities."
Spitfire raised an eyebrow in suspicion and turned towards the red, black maned pegasus fighter who told her the real story.
"Soarin ran out of ammo and I had to cover him while he was trying to find an extra clip. Then when he did he dropped it. I had to give him one of mine. But he did catch this one,"
"Uhm... do I get a say in this?" the griffon asked. Spitfire ignored him and continued her attention towards her fellow Wonderbolt.
"Soarin that story is so low even for Rainbow Dash."
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash interrupted.
"Sorry, this story is probably worse than the one about how you single hoofedly saved an entire village from being destroyed by that dragon that one time."
Soarin only rolled his eyes at that. "Whatever, at least it's still good enough to be believable. So what do we do with him," he said, motioning his gun to the captured griffon.
"Keep a close eye on him, he could be good for some questioning," Spitfire replied. The griffon gave a harsh glare as he kept his talons on his head and followed the four pegasi.
When they arrived at the second and final radar facility, they repeated the process. Soarin and Rapid Fire were busy distracting the griffons on guard while Rainbow and Spitfire were bombing the stations, although there was a twist. This facility had a few AA gun emplacements which made it a bit difficult.
"Ok, here's the plan. I'll take care of those guns while you finish up with those radar stations," advised Spitfire.
Rainbow nodded and the two split up. Spitfire was dropping bombs on the AA guns while trying to avoid the stream of bullets at the same time. This allowed Rainbow Dash to go in and destroy the remaining radar. They continued this until the last radar station went up in flames. The two pegasi took a moment to catch their breaths.
"The radar's been destroyed," the defeated griffon announced to the remaining griffon fighters who by now have already retreated.
"Target destroyed," Spitfire announced. Cheering came out from the other end.
"Aw yea, did you see that! I mean the place was all like BOOM and I was like YEA, EAT IT! THAT. WAS. AWSOME!!!!
The two pegasi slapped each other's wing in achievement. "Calm down newby, we still need to head back to base to complete the mission. Lets get the others and get this over with," Spitfire said, trying to calm down the overexcited rainbow mare.
"Wonderbolt Squadron here. Mission accomplished!" Rapid Fire reported excitedly.
"Hey everyone, Twilight here. Radar facilities confirmed destroyed. All pegasi fighters take vector 180 south. Use the return line on your map to exit combat area and return to base."
Rainbow Dash checked her radar map on her wrist to check and went in the direction as told.
"Fly in the right direction and you'll should see a white dotted line across your flight path. And just a heads up, those of you who need to resupply or heal up during missions need to cross this line to exit the combat area and return to base."
The four pegasi and griffon POW were flying at high speeds to hurry and get this over.
"Approaching Return Line, follow the controller's orders for landing."
Once they crossed the line, they saw the nearby friendly airbase.
"Wonderbolt squadron, perform the landing check, you are clear to land," the controller said. The five slowed down and extended their legs.
"You're on the money!" They were coming in closer and closer. They immediately cut their speeds in half. Once they were a few feet off the ground, they slowed the rate of their wings to steady beats, their hooves touched the runway. They went from galloping to trotting to a complete stop.
"Nicely done Wonderbolt Squadron, go and prepaid for your next sortie."
Several crew members went to the their aid., healing up any injuries, replacing any damaged barding and handing them ammunition. Several royal guard members came to take the griffon POW.
"Thanks Wonderbolt Squadron. What would we do without you," one of the guards said.
"No problem, and make sure you give our friend here the extra special deluxe package," Soarin said with an evil grin on how face. The griffon snickered in return.
Once they were all as good as new, Pinkie Pie approached the group. The nearby crew members stood at attention and gave a salute. Pinkie puffed out her chest and gave her best official superior look and saluted back. Once they all left and were out of earshot, Pinkie burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha, it never gets old," she said in between laughs.
"Hey Pinkie, I've been meaning to ask you, where did you get that uniform?" Rainbow dash asked confusedly.
"I got it from a closet, and boy was it overflowing with these things back at North Pony. I also gave a hat just like this one to Twilight," she replied giddy as usual.
"And you didn't get in trouble by any pony,"
"Nope, and ever since I've been wearing it, everypony's been calling me Captain Pie! Can you believe it!"
"Pinkie, you that's wrong right?"
"General Ironhoof didn't think so. When he saw me, he said I was looking good and called me captain. Oh by the way, he sent in this recorded message for you guys," she said as she pulled out a tape recorder and played it.
Hello Wonderbolt Squadron, if you are listening to this,' then that means that my trusted captain has successfully delivered this to you."
Rainbow rolled her eyes at that.
"Now allow me to inform you that with their radar out of commission, the enemy's command and control is degraded. The evac and regrouping efforts are proceeding as scheduled. Also the leaders of The Crystal Empire wish to see you."
"Well, looks like we're still not done here," Rapid Fire stated.
"Come on, lets go see what they might need, and thanks for the message, Captain Pinkie Pie" Rainbow said with emphasis before all four of them took to the skies. Pinkie Pie quickly took out a large megaphone.
"YOU'RE WELCOME!!!"
"Do you think she heard me?" she asked to the nearby crew members.
"I think all of Equestria heard you," he exaggerated while wiping off the blood that was trickling down his ears.
•••
Rainbow Dash checked her radar map to find the empire. At first she saw nothing until something popped up.
"Wonderbolt Squadron, they've just lowered the cloaking shield, it should appear on your radar."
"Copy that Twilight," responded Spitfire. They continued at the same velocity until they saw the empire come up over the horizon. They continued on until they were over the city. Down below, they saw thousands of Royal Guards boarding a long massive crystal train.
"Wow, Ironhoof wasn't kidding about how they'll become a formidable force," Soarin said, surprised at the amount of troops that were going to combine with the ones already at North Pony. They flew until they landed on the balcony of the castle. The first one to greet them was Princess Cadence. They four quickly fell into attention and gave a salute in respect.
"Adise, it's great to meet you all, and I can't tell you how much I thank you for saving us in our time of need,"
"Just doing what we can to protect our friends," Rainbow Dash replied.
"Why Rainbow Dash, I did not know you were accepted into the Wonderbolts. I mean I know how much they mean to you from Twiligts letters. She says that you just go crazy about them considering your their biggest fan and-" she stopped when she noticed Rainbow Dash's face turned red from embarrassment and her, motioning Cadance to please, for Celestia's sake, stop talking with her hoof over her mouth.
"Oops, sorry, I spoke too much," Cadance said apologetically. The other Wonderbolts were trying really hard not to burst out laughing. Just then, Shining Armor came in to join the group, right by Candence's side.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash, how's it going. Hey I didn't know you finally got accepted into the Wonderbolts. I mean from a the stuff Twilight talks about in her letters, I mean-" he was immediately cut off by Cadence who placed her hoof in his mouth to shut him up. All three Wonderbts couldn't hold their laughter any longer and were bursting out laughing. They fell to the floor laughing so hard they started crying.
Rainbow Dash however, fell back on her haunches and dug her face in her hooves. Her face burned red with embarrassment. She thought to herself about how she was going to confront Twilight for this.
It seemed like an eternity passed before the three laughing pegasi regain control and got back to their hooves. Rainbow Dash still sat there in embarrassment at the recent events.
"Eh, it's alright Rainbow One, I was just like you before I joined the Wonderbolts," Soarin said trying to comfort her.
"Yea, before you begged the last captain over and over again to let you join," Spitfire added.
"That did not happen,"
"Whatever,"
That did cheer Rainbow Dash up a bit. She finally got to her hooves and her face returned to its normal cyan self.
Once all the drama had passed, Shining Armor told them what he wanted to say.
"Anyway, thanks for saving us from being taken over by The Griffons. Now we can proceed with the evacuation and regrouping efforts. Tell The Princesses and The General that I'm sending a few of our castle guards to help with the war efforts. It's best for ponies here to not know much about the war, although they are getting suspicious. Not counting the thousands of royal guards at the train station."
"No problem Shining, we better be heading back to H.Q.," Spitfire responded before the four flew off the balcony.
"And Rainbow Dash, tell Twily I sad hi," called Shining.
"Will do!" Rainbow called back as she rejoined her squadron as they flew off back towards North Pony.
•••
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