Hell Fire
By: Silbern
“Ya don't just say that to somepony!”
A red bolt of energy flew past dangerously close to the two ponies. Uriel banked left as another stream of red flew past him. Applejack only squeezed tighter as she held onto the Alicorn for her life.
“Well I'm sorry Applejack!” Uriel shouted as he did a quick cork screw to avoid a Spitfire aircraft from shooting him down. “Between almost dying and the uncertain future, I made a choice!” he tried to plead his case. “It's not like I asked you to marry me!”Uriel finally shouted as he felt four legs squeeze him significantly tighter. He gave a growl as he felt the cowpony's death like grasp lessen slightly and a sheepish smile was all that AJ showed.
“The point still stands Uriel!” Applejack refused to lose the point of their argument. “Ya couldn't have simply said “Applejack, I like you.” after ya kissed me las' night?” she tried to reason but Uriel only banked left in a reply.
“You kissed Applejack?” Rarity shouted with glee as her own pegasai tried to even out his flight.
AJ could only smack herself mentally for shouting it out over the sounds of the air battle. The mare's concentration however was dragged from her misfortune as she spotted the opening in the hell fire. Her fears were instantly realized as the sudden closing of Uriel's wings started their free fall towards solid ground.
“Captain!” a voice shouted out amongst the trench line as the beaten up Unicorn ran past wounded ponies. “Captain, reinforcements inbound!” the pony shouted once more as Shining Armour turned and nodded before walking up to the edge of the trench. Half the day has already past and the orb was getting dangerously close to their line. He had no intelligence nor personnel to attack the orb until now. This was going to be one of his early defining moments in command and he knew he had loved ones to protect.
“Corporal! I want a fire mission against the orb now! Tell the 12th to bring Celestia's might on that damn thing!” Shining shouted as the Corporal nodded and began sending his message eagerly. It was time to fight back against Discord and whatever scheme he has concocted. “Get to your positions! We're going in after the barra.” Shining Armour tried to shout before a loud cheer erupted from beyond the orb. The white Unicorn squinted his eyes as he thought he spotted something moving within the chaotic energy. What began to charge out of the dome however made Shining let his mouth hang limp for only moments. “Incoming enemy ground assault! Prepare to repel the enemy!” the Captain shouted his orders as the weary ponies quickly found themselves waiting for the enemy.
Discord twirled in the air with utmost delight. His army of ghostly human figures marched forth and the pitiful pony air force was falling like flies. With a wave off his right paw the blades of grass beneath suddenly began to clap against each other. Discord bowed low for a minute until he snapped his fingers which burnt all the blades of grass to ash.
Chyrsalis watched with narrowed eye only hinting to her growing distaste of the situation. Something else started to creep up into the back of her mind as she tried to grasp it. The Queen however knew that it was fear that crept along the edge of her mental reality. She neither had the magic nor the power of numberless hive members to fight Discord now. Did she ever have the strength to fight Discord? The Queen was now sure of it. She was a puppet and most likely a disposable one at that.
“Ah!” Discord said with an exciting cheer as he swiped his hands in front of him. In the wake of his wave appeared a large floating panel which showed footage of a bloody air battle. Discord tapped the panel once as it zoomed in to show multiple ponies both with and without straps. “My lovely friends are coming to visit! Uriel has even decided to come and give me a chat has he?” the chaotic beast simply giggled lightly as he tapped the bottom of his chin obviously deep in thought. “Why of course Discord! We shall send a special messenger to greet such kind ponies!” he exclaimed with even greater cheer then before as he placed a paw onto the ashed ground below.
Both Queen and Discord stood in silence for a few moments until a loud boom echoed forth. A blurring image flew from the dirt as it accelerated incredibly fast, easily breaking past the orb above them.
“Welcome to something a bit more modern Uriel!”
The white Alicorn grinned as he did a small corkscrew, effectively avoiding a Spitfire fighter. He felt the warmth through his chest as he gazed down to see AJ closing her eyes tightly. He swore he could even see her mumbling something into his own coat. Uriel's attention was soon drawn from his carry-on luggage to a loud noise from the distance. His eyes tried to focus on the source but it didn't take long as it flashed before him and his heart soon turned to ice. He recognized that plane.
Oh? Are you still having trouble with your human memories? Uriel cringed as the all too familiar voice echoed in his head. It seems that you will need another little therapy dear boy.
Uriel's wings flopped for a second as he almost lost control. The images of different models and long nights invaded his head. Vietnam. Uriel could only screw his eyes tight for a moment before registering everything. First he was a German World War two pilot now he was an American jet fighter pilot? His memories seemed so foreign to him that he honestly thought that they were not his own but of some mystery person.
Pay attention dear Uriel. I wouldn't want you to die before coming to talk to your best friend Discord.
The Alicorn didn't even have a chance as a stream of red bullets came towards him. One of the red bullets hitting his rear leg which drew out a sharp yelp of pain. He spun for only a second until he continued his decent to the ground.
“What's wrong?” Applejack called out as she easily heard the yelp and even felt his body tighten upon the bullet impact. She waited for an answer but instead felt a hoof move up the back of her head, slightly brushing her mane. Sudden worry started to fill her mind as she gave Uriel a tight squeeze again but instead of any sort of warning from the stallion above her she was rewarded with silence.
“Rainbow Dash!” Uriel suddenly called out which made AJ slightly jump. The multicoloured mane pony soon found her self matched with the slower Alicorn.
Her eyes soon found the latest of his wounds as Dash's eyes opened with shock. “Uriel! You're hit!” the winged mare had to shout over the battle around them.
“There's no time Dash!” Uriel shouted back as he turned his body to expose the orange earth pony that held on with all her might. “Take her Dash! He's targeting me so I'm going to try and lead it away. Get them to the ground below!” He practically begged as he attempted to push the Earth pony from his belly.
AJ however was not letting go as her grip onto the Alicorn was more then strong enough. “Promise me!” the earth mare shouted as her head turned up to see Uriel's deep red eyes looking down at her. “Promise me that ah'll see you on the ground!” She shouted her offer but instead of any verbal response she was rewarded with warm lips pressing against hers. Her eyes opened with shock as she witnessed Uriel gazing at her sadly. The poor mare didn't realize her grip had eased up until it was too late. With all four hooves, Uriel pushed her off and onto a waiting Rainbow Dash.
“No!” AJ shouted but it was too late as she tried to find a more secure position on her friends back. She had already witnessed only a passing image as Uriel flapped his large wings to gain altitude at an amazing rate.
Uriel could only ignore Applejack's cries for him as he pumped his wings harder trying to find his deadly stalker. His eyes couldn't find the Mig-21 jet aircraft but he knew it was somewhere. A metallic whine above him gave away the aircraft's location as the Alicorn just dived to avoid the latest amount of ghastly bullets. Adrenaline pumped fast as his body burned from both the physical exercise and sudden pressure as he gained speed in his decent.
There was almost no way he could out fly the aircraft but he knew that he could out manoeuvre it. A quick pull to his right he found a fresh trail of the ghastly red bullets whizzing by. His wings ached but the Alicorn only ignored it.
Oh? Have you already forgotten Uriel?
The winged pony flinched as the voice echoed in his head until he heard it. Turning his body slightly so he could look behind him, he witnessed it. A plume of smoke from underneath one of the wings as something sped quickly towards him. No time to avoid it.
Good night Uriel. Discord's voice filled his head.