> War Thunder > by cellum95 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue-Skies over Wonderbolt Academy > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Spitfire's P.O.V- Beautiful night in this week isn't it? You know, the signal to rest for a good, exercise in the academy, training the new recruits, and some rest next day. Well, that's what I know in the days what I am expecting. However, the days that I know before were more or less security. Ever since those......'steel-killing machines' happened to attack the town of Ponyville, I was a little worried that Rainbow Dash, the new recruit, was hurt in the process. But that was I thought it would be. Sooner or later I received word that RD was still alive. It was the first time I panicked in years and sighed in relief also. However, I'm still worried that these 'machines' would come here and make the Academy their killing grounds. But it didn't happen. I was so I'm confused. There is solid ground here in the Academy, but why not here? It didn't matter anyway. I'm receiving news of the repetitive cycle in Ponyville. The 'machines' will go appear out of nowhere, kill each other, and then disappear. I always have this news everyday after training the new recruits. However, there were two news that shook me with fear. The first news that I read about was the Manehattan Incident, were the 'machines' are fighting in one of the most grandest city in Equestria. My mind said to me it was impossible, but my eyes tell me that it was true. I don't know how am I gonna react to this. I said to myself: 'Please that those ponies there are safe.' The citizens of Manehattan are safe heard, and again I relaxed a bit, only to find out a second news that almost want to slap myself for being in my desk for so long. The Canterlot Incident. Normally, any incident in the capital would be facing the Royal Guards. But, as I read the news, I was shocked that they didn't do anything to stop them! What's worse, the 'machines' also fought inside the city! Are those guys stupid?! They should have closed the door for Luna's sake! But then again, those 'machines' are made out of steel so no sword or arrow to hurt those things. I feel angry, I feel stupid, I feel.....scared. I have so many questions that scarred me pertaining to those 'machines'. 'I hope they would not come here.' I thought, just trying myself to be calm and collected for tomorrow. -Next Day, T.P.O.V- It was 3:00 AM in the clock, too early for anypony to wake up. However, there was one pony who can do it. Captain of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire. She was half-awake and half-sleepy, so she has to rub her eyes to wash of the feeling of sleepiness. "Damn my waking hour." She cursed, rising up from her bed. She then needs to pick up her bed, which is easier with her wings, that look to shine with the sun. She make her way to the kitchen to have herself some breakfast. Her breakfast was more or less typical, cereal with a cup of coffee. Spitfire sat on her chair in the dining room, eating her breakfast. She was just as angry with paperwork the whole time to contend with work. She was just eating her breakfast when she look up, seeing a piece of paper attached to clipboard. It reads: "CANTERLOT INCIDENT: THE STORY" This single piece paper would make her stop eating, just thinking of what might happen if she was there, instead of comforting herself that these 'machines' will not appear in Canterlot. She slouched at her chair, pondering of this day now. 'I wish that this nightmare would stop. It's making me to go spiral in the abyss of insanity.' She thought to herself, shrugging it and then return to her breakfast. After she was done eating her cereal and her coffee, she goes to the sink to wash them. Spitfire wasn't the type of mare to leave any dirt, but if she does, then she would have a ginormous pile of rubbish to clean. After washing the dishes, and wearing her Wonderbolt uniform, she flies off. With the hope that this day will never be horrific like last year. -Spitfire P.O.V, Wonderbolt Academy- It was natural for me to get early here. It was not because I need 'my' time but because of maintenance check, cleaning the Academy and of course, natural paperwork. I'm more of a hard-working mare type. First off, maintenance check. With the mechanics in sleep, I have to check the machines myself for them to be in top shape. Normally, my maintenance check is more of quick glance and then go to the cleaning session. But since it's so early, I have to check the machines carefully. I have to tell if there's any cracks in machines. Seeing there's none, I happily trot towards cleaning session. Cleaning is a part where I excelled in. I have to make sure that this place is spot on. 'Nothing more than the cleanliest place in Equestria.' Believe me, it was just a brag from brain anyway. As I sweep the floor, I heard something towards the Academy. It was like coming from two directions. Looking at the east, I was horrified. Normally, I would look up just to see Luna's moon and stars. But now, I could some.....flying 'machines' towards the Academy. Like the ground 'machines' before them, they have weird names. One of them carry the name 'Spitfire Mk. IX'......my name but why with Mk. IX? However, as I look at the other side it was the same story. Flying machines are heading towards the Academy. I don't why, but something was attracting here. However, as soon as I wrapped my head of the situation here, all of them blazed each other. To kill each other. To....best the other. I have a feeling it was dominance. But the skies above me now is a fighting ground, all while spitting....something. As look up, I didn't noticed that one of them actually landed in the Academy. But the one that is swooping down like a fast pegasus got out of my reverie, and killed the one that actually was in the air strip. However, as I look up again, I saw a diamond with a big letter A in it....and it's completely blue. Not only that, I could some kind of line with the colors blue and red....and the latter was draining from it's position. It was terrifying, it was horrific, it was....beautiful. I don't how I classify this as beautiful, but something about the carnage speaks of dominance and bravery. I only watched as this carnage continue, caring nothing about anything else other than this. It was over. The fight was over and I could resume my cleaning session. After all, I don't want this place dirty. However, the carnage was still playing in my mind. How did I survived from all that carnage? I'm still confused by this, but still I sweep the floor thinking about it....and the future. "What will happen now?" > Chapter 1-Skies over Wonderbolt Academy Part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Spitfire's P.O.V- After I was done with my cleaning session, I went to my office to start any paperwork that is needed to be done. But I don't do that quickly, since I thought it would me tire me more than training the recruits. Since I do that particular thing in my part, I usually think about what will happen next. I usually think about my recruits being tired, complaining that it's hard and then I will shout to them to continue, for them to be fit. I usually smirk at the thought, but now I keep thinking about those flying 'steel-machines'. I thought about it, and I realize something. Even though they were fighting for supremacy, their gracefulness and ability to react in split-second tops was like an Academy Record. The more I thought about it, the more I will decide that I will exercise the reaction time to my recruits. 'Sounds like that I'm training them like a military......but we're the most aggressive ones so maybe I will do it.' I thought with a slight smirk planted to my face. -Third P.O.V, Rainbow Dash- Rainbow Dash, self-proclaimed fastest flier in Equestria, is just flying towards the Academy just like any other day. This bothers her a bit, but she's not complaining about it. Since she is now a Wonderbolt, a life-long dream she had catch with her hooves, Rainbow Dash must be alert and awake as buck. 'Why with this schedule?' She thought, still flying towards her destination. When she saw the Academy, she smiles at herself at the accomplishment she did now. As a loyal friend, now a Wonderbolt. Can she achieve more? Well, that's her decision to make, but she focused on landing. When Rainbow Dash landed safely, she could see Spitfire setting up something, but she doesn't know what she is doing. Going up to her, RD asked. "What are you doing ma'am?" The question didn't startle the Captain at all. Spitfire just turned her head just to address the question. "Oh nothing. Just something new." Now that puzzled Rainbow Dash. What is so important that it's new and yet at the same time a secret. Normally, Spitfire will inform them what will happen. It's like a new Spitfire now. "Okay then...." RD trailed off, just going with the flow. -Rainbow Dash, F.P.O.V- I just don't get it. It was routine, yes, for me to go to the Wonderbolt Academy. And yes it's a routine for me to greet Spitfire and ask what she is doing. Normally, when she is doing something, I would ask her and startle her too much that she will bark at me like 'You know don't snick up to me like that!'. But it's different. She is doing something, and she would say what it is, but now it's just a 'something new' line. I'm beginning to wonder what happened to her personality to make her act like that. "I'm done!" I heard Spitfire shout in triumph, and looking at it, it's like something with a basket full of balls in it. I don't what it is, but I'm feeling this will not end well. After seeing my other teammates in the Academy, I heard Spitfire shouting like typical. "Okay recruits! You will be having 30 laps of flying exercises, and additional 20 if got it right!" I heard my mates groan. "However, I will be adding a twist to it." Adding a twist? What does she mean adding....a....twist.... 'Oh....OH!' Realization hit me what she actually meant. That thing that Spitfire set up was the twist. The feeling that Spitfire was being warped by something is growing with intensity. I wanted to ask her a question, but she was too quick for me to do it. "Okay recruits, in the count of three, prepare for the drills!" No more time Rainbow Dash. Let's show them what I'm made of! "1.... 2..... 3!" She shouted, and all of us drove of like lightning that struck down the earth. In a few seconds, I was in the lead, ahead of my teammates. Somehow this wasn't surprising, since I'm the fastest in all of Equestria. I was so much in the lead that when I'm in 2nd drill, they we're still in the 1st. This continues on in the 2nd and 3rd drills. But in the 4th drill, everything changed. When I was still flying, a random ball actually shot at me, and I dodged it an inch of my wings. Looking down, I could see Spitfire manning the thing that she calls the 'twist'. Is she mad?! Some of us could get hurt! I just sighed and resumed flying. However, those annoying balls that is fired at me-later at my teammates-is keeping me worked out to dodge them with no time to spare. So this is the twist. Reaction-time to anything that will go to you. But before I could think about why she would that, I heard noises in both east and west of the Academy. Looking at the right, I could see something shiny coming towards to the Training Center. Also looking at the left, I could also see the same shiny something also coming towards the Training Center. As I squint my eyes, I could see flying 'steel-machines' in the horizon. I felt my face paled as I know those 'steel-machines' were killers of there own kind. As they near, I gulped and could only shout a sentence. "EVERYPONY DIVE!" I dived towards cover, still seeing the 'steel-machines' coming near. As I look back, I could see my teammates, probably seeing those machines as well. They were shouting something, but I know somepony took over and followed my lead. As soon as I land, I could see Spitfire wide-eyed in.....familiarity. Almost as if she knows these machines. Not looking at my landing teammates, my eyes glued to the skies as I could see those two in the opposite direction goes for a head-on collision. But before they could collide, I could see both of them firing streaks of fire to each other, sending bits of metal flying off. They have a near-miss, yes, but the other one wants the fight so badly that it turns to the right and starts re-engaging the other. Now, with my current vision, I could see other machines joining, killing each other in a fashion of dominance and lightning-fast reflexes, like the ones in the ground a year ago. I could see one even losing one of it's wings to one of it's own kind. But as I could see, one of them tries in vain to land in the airstrip of the Academy. Now I could see why dominance is here. They were fighting for the airstrip. However, all of us heard something at our backs, so when we turn our backs, we could see another nose-diving towards the already landed machines. It fires so much streaks that it literally blew tiny bits of the strip's ground, and as I could see, it killed the oppressor. This continued for some time, but me and my teammates- including Spitfire-were glued to the fight. As if it was a movie. After the fighting was over, all of us went back from a reverie. "What...happened?" One of my mates asked. "I don't know, but these machines were like the ones in the ground!" Another shouted. "You really think so?" The bickering continued, and normally Spitfire would scold them like a mother for bickering when performing the drills. But as I could see the flame-haired pegasus, I could see she was not doing anything. I swore I even could see inspiration within her eyes. So that was the 'something' that was warping Spitfire's mind. But there's one thing that I even hate to do, but I have to do it. To think. I was thinking about those machines that was fighting over the skies of our precious Academy. As soon as I think, I muttered: "What will happen then and now?" > Chapter 2-Skies over Wonderbolt Academy Ending > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Wonderbolt Academy, T.P.O.V- In the aftermath of these 'metal-to-metal' clash in their beloved airspace, every Wonderbolt cadet are not going for a flight drill again. Even Rainbow Dash is afraid of having contact with these 'things'. But everpony's attention was not to themselves. Their attention was given to their Captain, the fiery-maned Spitfire. Nothing will give out of reverie in the skies except calling her name out. She shook her head, mumbling beneath her breath were nopony will hear it. "Okay this is weird." One the cadet's said. "What's weird?" RD asked. "I mean, our Captain, Spitfire, will just stare at the skies with no reason whatsoever. Is that even weird to you?" Everypony got their minds reeling back to the confrontation. It was like Spitfire was hypnotized by this 'machines', or whatever they were called. "Yeah it is weird. Nevertheless we should help the Captain right?" Rainbow Dash said. Everypony agreed to the statement of the Fastest Pegasus in Equestria. No sooner that they agree on what to do that they approached their beloved Captain. Spitfire is still looking at the ground, eyes unmoving. She was thinking too much that even she staggered on reaching a conclusion. 'What are they doing? At first I admire them, and then suddenly I'm thinking of the future of the whole Equestria. What kind of Captain am I?' This thoughts were half-questions and half-darkish in nature. One hoof, she does admire them for their flying capabilities. But on the other hoof, she was considering of the thought that she was a bad Captain because she just allowed those machines to use the airspace as their toying ground. And she just let that happen in an instant twice. TWICE! Spitfire feel the guilt swelling up to her, knowing that it had dire consequences on her and her team if this is goes noticed. However, hearing hoofsteps towards her was not something very surprising to her. Mostly it was Soarin or the cadets going to ask what was wrong. So when she turned her head, it was Rainbow Dash followed up by the other cadets. "Is there something wrong ma'am?" The rainbow-maned pegasus asked, which is not surprising to her either. Composing herself long enough that guilt will not override her voice, she replied to Rainbow Dash. "Nothing is wrong, Rainbow Dash." Her voice is mostly serious, but a tinge of guilt find it's way to her sentence. And making it worse, Rainbow Dash sensed it. "I know something is wrong Spitfire. I could sense it. Please, just answer truthfully." Rainbow Dash said it with eye to eye contact with Spitfire. The fiery-maned pegasus flinched being gazed by the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria, knowing it's full of seriousness and needs an answer full of truth. Sighing in defeat, Spitfire answered. "Okay....Rainbow Dash. You know those machines that were flying in and about over our airspace?" All of them nodded. "Well, it's my....uhm.....second time to see them." The Wonderbolt Cadets almost have their colors drained from their faces. Did Spitfire actually saw these monsters the first here? "And even before you will ask it, yes I did see them a while back, when I was the first here." Spitfire said, turning around. "All of you will have the drills, but within Rainbow Dash's command. I will be going back home." As she said it, she flew towards the direction of her own little home. Those that were left behind were utterly confused as to why their Captain leaved them to continue the drills. Even Rainbow Dash was baffled. When everypony is arguing loudly of what to do, Rainbow Dash only have thought in her head. 'Spitfire, what's wrong with you right now?' -Spitfire, F.P.O.V- I was just flying back towards my home, my mind still reeling back to the incident in our airspace. Too much thoughts run through my tough skull on my mind as I still replay the incident's over and over. At first, it seems they are so good at flying in the skies that even me was jealous was about it. But as I replay it again, my train of thoughts began the thinking process of what does this spell on the whole Equestrian continent. Does it spell good? Or does it spell disaster? As this two thoughts keeps on replaying in my head, my mind replays my pseudo-abandon of the cadets. I stopped flying and I look back at the direction of the Academy. Sighing I still continue, seeing my home in sight. I As I enter my house, my mind keeps replying that pseudo-abandon of my cadets. What kind of Captain am I?! Captain's should be there for their cadets even at dire situations, not leaving them! I groaned as I go to my bedroom, and my mind goes back to my personal diary. I searched my diary until I found it in my closet, hidden by my mess. Lying down, and grabbing a quill and ink, I began writing on my diary...... -Spitfire Diary, Entry- Dear Diary, Not so long on the incident on our beloved airspace, I feel stupid now. The first time I saw them, I was awe-struck with a little bit of fear within me, as seeing these 'steel-killing machines' light up the sky like fireworks. The first thing I do is to do a split-second drill on my cadets, which is not bad but also stupid because I use balls rather than the clouds themselves. And now I'm wondering if I could bear the responsibilities of being the Captain of the Wonderbolts thank to those two incidents. Am I stupid to let them two rounds of killing at the Academy? Am I that short-sighted? What could I do about it? These are one of the many thoughts that still rings in my head. The one who wrote this, Spitfire > Chapter 3-Skies over Cloudsdale > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -T.P.O.V, Cloudsdale- Cloudsdale, the main pegasi city in all of Equestria. This city is one of the most grandest of all in the country, next to Canterlot and Manehattan. Almost sixty-five percent of all the pegasus in the Equestrian country live here because of it's majestic buildings high above the clouds. But this city is also one of the most heavily armed city in the world, almost competing with Skyland, one of the Griffonian cities in the neighborhood. But for now, the pegasi living here are doing usual things that is comparable on the ground; live a simple life with simple jobs. Sky Patrol is one of those ponies. He has a family, two foals in fact, and he is a Guard in the city. His particular job is no more than patrolling the skies with his special eyesight, hence his name. The pay was good also, 1000 bits for the services he had done everyday. But the days of patrolling was a particularly boring job. With the exception of a few burglars in the city, there was no immediate threat to the vicinity. The ponies here are more than relaxed, knowing that there guards will protect them at all cost. But in due time, everything will change. -Sky Patrol, F.P.O.V- I woke up with a yawn, knowing that dawn is the sign of a particularly boring but good day. I rose up from my bed, rubbing off any remaining sleepiness I have. After rubbing it off, I quickly fix my bed thanks to the fact that my wife, Blossom Heart, will kill me. After all, she is a nag. Yeah, I know she is a pain in the flank but she is still a loving wife. After fixing my bed, I went downstairs to eat breakfast with my family. "Morning dad!" I turned to the greetings and see one of my foals, Happy, seating in one of the chairs in the dining table. I smiled and replied: "Hi Happy." I still have some weariness inside of me, but at least he understood my message. Oh his smile gives me the energy to move on. In fact, I will never live without my family beside me to support me. I went to my respective seat in the family table and sat happily, waiting for our breakfast to arrive. "Breakfast is ready!" Which is right now. When my wife comes out of the kitchen, she is still as beautiful as ever when I first saw her. Red blood mane with a white coating, and two hearts as her cutie marks. As expected with her grace, she set down the food with an all-loving dance she knows only. When all of the food was set, Blossom and my other foal, Expect, sat on their respective chairs. Unlike the majority of the pegasi leaving here, we're the minority groups known as the 'Praying Ones'. We are more of a religious group, thanking the heavens for everything that will transpire, if it is good luck. In the dining table, we pray to give thanks to the heavens for our food, and after the prayer we eat like mares and gentlecolts. We do not just grab the food and eat it right away. We usually give our parents first the food and then later our children, because we believe to have more upmost respect to our parents and elders than the other pegasi, or what we called them the 'Disrespectful Ones'. We eat our food for about thirty-minutes and rest for about fifteen minutes so that we don't have a tummy ache. We depart from the dining table and gone to our respective rooms, wherein I will dress up my patrol suit. My patrol suit is more aerodynamic than any other suits in the Guard, making it worthwhile for most pegasi leaving here. When I finished dressing up, I was about to go to work when: "Hon, I think you should say goodbye first remember?" I turned around and saw Blossom with Happy and Expect. I chuckled to myself and went back to kiss all three of them. After saying goodbye to them, I went to my job, happy that I'm supporting my family. -Northern Guard Post, T.P.O.V- The Northern Guard Post is one of the most heavily armed post in the city, on par with it's counterpart in the south. This is where Sky Patrol usually works, seldom being in the other posts in the city. In fact, ten guard posts are here at present, with about nine-thousand pegasi working here, most of which are just trained to patrol the skies for any danger and possibly eliminate them. Another pegasus that is working here is Spotter, a very important pony in this particular post. Judging by her name, she is a very talented pony who is able to detect any threats in about five-hundred yards away. Add a pair of binoculars or a telescope, then she is a dangerous foe to deal with. Today she is just spotting as usual, knowing that there won't be any particular threats flying in towards Cloudsdale this day. Although it is safe to say that she is bored to death, she comforted herself that other pegasi working in here are also bored. 'It's like having to wait a vacation in school' She thought with a smirk on her face as she keeps spotting in the horizon. Nothing there to spot as usual until she turned her telescope to her ten o'clock. "Wait....What in the name of Celestia is that?" She spoke to herself as she trained on something that is very peculiar indeed. On the horizon itself, a little glowing white light is coming to her direction in a very steady speed. She keep her eyes on that light until suddenly more little glowing lights were detected. This is not a normal day after all. Grabbing a microphone from her left, she shouted the only sentence she was trained to say: "ALERT! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! I REPEAT, WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! THIS IS NO DRILL!" She turned her after saying that warning and saw something that will scare her for life. -Sky Patrol, F.P.O.V- I was in my post in the Northern Gate, just happily drinking coffee like a guard should do in this fine hour. To put it simply, it is a long heck of a wait in our standards, mostly six to eight hours of patrolling, in shifts. I'm just sitting in my post with a bored expression sipping another coffee until the warning of my colleague, Spotter, actually run out. I turned my head to the direction of her post and what I saw was something I did not expect. Near her post was metal thing, capable of flying with it's 'wings' not flapping and an annoying buzz sound ringing. As I could concentrate more, I could see more of those 'flying' machines passing through our posts. These machines were not only annoying because of their buzzing noise, but also because they were damn good flyers also. Since they don't want to collide with us, they turn their 'bodies' enough that it is enough to give us a rocking sensation on our bodies. It was to surreal. No sky army would do that except the dragons themselves. We were too shock to think about something when I turned my head around to see more of those 'glowing' thing at the opposite directions, with both sides having some strange symbols at polar ends. I know what was going on here. There are going to make Cloudsdale there killing ground! But there was one question in my mind which was fairly legitimate for this matter........ Where the hell did they come from?! > Chapter 4-Skies over Cloudsdale Part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -F.P.O.V, Spotter- I watch as I could see the very body of glistening body of the attackers. Wings not flapping, just pointed straight at both directions of it's body. A rotating something which is kinda like the ones in a very long balloon, but with an annoying buzz noise that rings my ears to oblivion. But what struck me to the fullest wasn't their body, but their numbers. Normally, the ones that are attacking the city before were in the tens thousands, but now they are just.....I don't know what to say but an underwhelming few in numbers. What is this, some kind of scouting party? Whatever the hell what they are doing, we must stop them from entering the city, and fast. The other pegasi were now doing what we are trained to do; deploy to stop. Which I was suppose to do, but my bucking flanks were just to glued to my position, feeling fear and intimidation from these attackers. They fly gracefully, avoiding any of the towers that we're present. Somehow I feel jealously coming in too. However, I brush aside the growing jealously in favor of defending the city from harm. I flew with the rest of my comrades with what we are suppose to do. -Cloudsdale, T.P.O.V- Normally, the pegasi living here, whether it's the Praying or Disrespectful Ones, will be strolling the city with a content smile, knowing that it will be a good day for their own personal businesses. However, this day was totally different from the rest of happy months they were used to. Every pegasi for themselves were running as machines from the air appeared out of nowhere in the outskirts of the city. Even worse, they were weird symbols moving towards the center, intentionally going for the City Hall of Cloudsdale itself. However, there was even more bad news for the denizens themselves. In addition for those 'machines' and symbols, they were not attacked from not one but two sides, making it as the worst day ever in the history of Cloudsdale. The Praying Ones, the minority pegasi groups, were more responsive than the Disrespectful Ones. Since they are more concentrated in one area than the majority pegasi groups, they could hide in an underground safe house as a whole. The latter, on the other hand, were panicking like it was on hell on earth. However, the moment when they got their eyes to the air again, they were incredibly surprised yet confused at the same time. The 'machines' in the air, what was once thought to be two-side invasion, began to fight each other, northern front against southern front. It started when a 'machine' called the 'B-17 Flying Fortress' dropped a screeching 'thing' from the sky, making contact with the enemy front, but missing it's intended target. Another 'machine', called the 'Hurricane', was flying high so that it could kill the B-17. After this two synchronized acts, the skies were lit up by a display of fire. Two different fronts, having aerial 'machines', fought each other who will be the dominant one in the 'Fire Shootout'. The pegasi were looking up and down to see the symbols closing on to the City Hall but one from each front would fire out fire to kill the 'symbols'-which were in fact 'machines'- and explode like some sort moving dynamite. Whatever they are doing, they're making the city like a playground of death. -Spotter, F.P.O.V- I just.....okay what the buck is going on in the name of Equestria?! I have alerted my comrades of an impending invasion, and this is what we got from my warning. The 'machines' were killing each other, but not like a pony-to-pony style. It was like a front-to-front confrontation and they could execute it immediately. And we couldn't expect that they could shoot out fire. It was just a weird day to be honest. As I my turn my head side to side, I could see the same expression with my comrades, shocked and confused. We were just paralyzed to our spot, nothing to do but watch. One, from the Eastern Patrol Post, tried to attack the 'machines' with a spear. What happened next was just too unbelievable. When he made contact, we expect the creature to howl in pain but instead, my comrade just pass trough the 'machine', and we just got our jaws hanging like idiots. Back to the present, we're just watching the scene like we're in a movie theater. And like I said earlier, we're paralyzed by shock and confusion that hovering like total idiots was potentially dangerous for us. I like to shout an order, just to scream to get my comrade's out of their daze. But for some reason, I couldn't do it. It was like the 'machines' have an hypnotizing effect on us. However, at the corner of my eye, I could see Sky Patrol with other pegasi setting up a perimeter between the raging chaos and the Praying Ones' safety building. My heart and mind just skipped as I could see them a barrier for protection, trying to save their faction. What are they doing in this matter? Well, to sum it up, they're not cowards, unlike us. -Sky Patrol, F.P.O.V- Okay this something that this is new to us, but we actually practiced this for a very long time so it comes in handy in a situation like this. Never mind the total chaos that will make Discord himself jealous, me and my mates were focused on the safety of our faction. Don't get me wrong though, I would respect the Disrespectful Ones for their bravery, but at the moment they are just hovering like a bunch of dimwits. However, thoughts aside I know that they are paralyzed by an emotion that is far more powerful than the Alicorn themselves. As much as I love to discuss this in my head right now, like a debate, I'm wishing that this chaos would be over now. I wish this would stop in a very random time. As I could see them approaching the City Hall, all of us readied our weapons as Cloudsdale being the first city being toppled down just because of a random confrontation between two seemingly 'comrade' fronts. We await the end............ > Chapter 5-Skies Over Cloudsdale Ending > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Blue Sky, F.P.O.V- I was part of the Eastern Guard Post of Cloudsdale, nothing extraordinarily gonna happen in the grand capital of the Pegasi group, just patrolling the perimeter with an average level of alertness. If there was a threat in the city, we could go into action immediately which gave us the reputation of being the 'most heavily defended city in all of Equestria' which is honestly true. However, nopony in every post of the city would be prepared for the coming of the 'flying killing machines'. In truth, it happened so fast that we were utterly dumbstruck of what happened over the airspace of Cloudsdale itself. Long story short, it happened to become a playground of death for them, killing each other in the air and those in the ground. Flying with grace and a dead-eye precision that would rival the Griffins, they were called by some as the 'Kings of the Air'. What was worse that we couldn't kill them. No I'm not lying you dimwits they were unkillable. One of us tried to hurt them with a spear directly pointed at a 'P-51 Mustang' but as if the hands of all Gods and Goddesses were bestowed to it, the spear just went through the machines and not even a single scratch appeared. We then realized that there is nothing we could do to stop them. Okay back story over, let's now deal with was happening in the city. All of us Pegasi guards were helping the civilians in the wake of what happened minutes or hours ago. Although it was one hell of a 'fight to the death' scene, there was no actual damage to be seen. It was actually surprising as if though they have an automatic cleaning system to erase all evidences of a potentially deadly duel here. However, even though they fight each other, they don't go to the line of 'after killing each other let's kill the rest' thing. In fact, they left the civilians out and have their own thing instead. We were glad about it although we were worried after they come out-although fine-badly shaken. Now we were cleaning up the mess that the 'machines' left, although it's was purely mental. I know what was happening but I couldn't imagine the scale of psychological trauma they have put to our citizens. Everywhere they were scared, hiding in every spot they could find and sometimes we could here them mumbling 'They will go back......They will go back......' and accompanied on certain occasions a laugh that was compatible to those that are in an asylum. Even if we tried to have a physical display of comfort, our mental stability was at best to be described as insane. My comrades began to maniacally laugh at the situation, calling it 'a total failure'. It was slowly showing like a virus, and my comrades begin to think that we failed, a total failure for not defending the city or something like that. There is nothing that I could do to salvage the situation. Even if I tried to comfort my comrades that we will have vengeance on those machines, I could sense the aura of hope too dull. The aura that was now present was insanity, even my friend was drinking out his worries. Now I'm just the only guard-or a very select few-who have enough sanity to hope that they will not return in this city, and hopefully stay that way. Surprisingly it stayed that way, as we thought they will return the next day and nothing happened. We waited for a few more days and we instantly deduced they were gone. There was a sense of joy but then realization hit me hard in my head. It wasn't the normal Cloudsdale that you would see in history as the 'most heavily defended city in Equestria'. No, this is a completely different and insane city, with no sense of hope and joy now, and nothing will change that. Nothing. -Spotter, F.P.O.V- I was sulking today because we failed to defend the city from those things. They were downright invincible as previously seen a few days ago. With a sigh, I just went boring mode in this day, nothing to do except again to sulk. I looked at my calender and could I big circle at the day when those 'machines' came in and suck our lives like downright monsters. 'Death Day' is said, and my sanity was dripping lower and lower than usual. I was becoming insane and I need something to keep me from that abyss. And then I realized, there was nothing I could do. I wish I could kill myself and escape my insanity. I wish- (Music) 'What's that music?' I thought as I listened to it. The music was a complete mystery and very new to me, and I could guess it could be heard by the other pegasi, civilian and guards alike. But as I listened to it more, I found myself being soothe by the music. It was beautiful in it's own right and downright majestic too. Every music, as I could recall in a book, has it's own meaning even if it was dark. As I listened to the soothing music, I could feel the meaning of it, or lesson it was called. 'Wait a minute....' Then it hit me. This music wasn't about vengeance or going down to insanity. No that was too outrageous for a beautiful music like this. What I found about is that we could pay respect what happened on 'Death Day' and begin a life with a passion which is unbreakable. I almost feel my sanity coming back to me. I went to my bedroom's window and smiled. The music has given a message of a new beginning. The city was sulking because of what happened on that day. Insanity was present in the city after the incident, and everypony wants to die to escape the black abyss. But when the majestic music have been played, and heard by the entire city, the citizens of the city now have a message. Pay respect, and continue living. It was this musical event that bring back the joy they have before, and it was stronger that ever. > Lack of Updates > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello again and I'm back from the dead to give this fic another shot. Sorry for the lack of updates in 'War Thunder' lately since my brain is going old-fart and can't really seem to get my head revolve around things. :P But then again, a lot of ideas went full 'attack-mode' on me so I got a debating streak of....months I think? Yeah I think months. Don't worry. I will have the next chapter having the Ground Forces edition to it already. And no it's not going to be the Arcade touch to it. It's going to be already Simulation or Realistic, whatever you guys prefer between the two. And to make it even better, it will have inspirations from the videos of our Dear Overlord of the Salt Mines, The Mighty Jingles, especially the 'Spad' and 'Not a Single **** Was Given' videos.