Wings

by Silent Bob


The Fate of Man

"Captain Harkness, honestly, if your claims of knowing our mutual friend were not accurate, I would regard you as not only having one of the most creative minds of our time, but of having one of the greatest scams."

A figure brought a cigar to his mouth, chuckling to himself as he took a puff.

"Sir, honestly, when have we ever lied to you?"

"You haven't had much of the opportunity, though despite my bafflement at this, my dear boy, you may still call me Winston if you like. I'd still like you either way for the entertainment this brings me in Britain's darkest hours."

"Just hear me out..."

Winston Churchill gave another laugh, sitting in his office at 10 Downing Street, London, at his slightly messy desk. One filled with half-written speeches, war reports, and many things that weighed heavily on his mind.

"I've heard you out, multiple times. You're saying that not only is there some sort of... parallel universe next to our own: one filled with mythological creatures straight out of the mind of the Greeks, but that one is here now?"

"That's correct."

A smile came to his face. "Than this era our history is bound to be all the more historic, isn't it, captain?"


One Week Later

A radio crackled in a lone hospital room.

"Both the military and our loyal government have confirmed the fact that, as unlikely and profound as it may sound, a winged pony, one capable of speech such as our own, was indeed responsible for bringing down a German bomber bound for Cardiff's Industrial Zones. As we all know, German bombardiers aren't the brightest bunch, and tend to miss their targets quite a bit of the time, so not only has not only saved the lives of every citizen in the targeted factory, but the lives of countless dwelling in homes around it. As the pegasus, 'Rainbow Dash' as she is called, is still recovering, questioning her of her origins and reason for entering 'our' war have been avoided out of courtesy. However it is expected that-"

Suddenly, the radio shut off, and the room went dim.

"Ah man, not again," Rainbow Dash groaned, folding her arms as she sat upon her hospital bed. "Those 'Nazis' just don't like giving breaks, do they?"

Tom gave a slight chuckle. "Welcome to my world."

And suddenly, the backup power came on, the radio flickering on as well.

"Please stay tuned for more updates on the war, both abroad and home."

"Oh bloody hell," Rainbow Dash pouted. "What was expected? Are they going to keep trying to question you?"

Tom gave a shrug, and a slight smirk. "I dunno, maybe... and bloody wah?"

"Oh shut up, I'm surprised you haven't picked up this crazy slang yet."

"Born with an Alabama tongue, gonna die with an Alabama tongue," Tom chuckled. "So, explain this to me again. You're an Element of... what?"

"Loyalty!" Dashie proudly proclaimed.

"And what does that mean exactly... like... is it just a title?"

She shook her head. "Nope, it means that me and my friends can wield these six artifacts and pretty much knockout any bad guy threatening Equestria!"

She then gave a sigh. "Friends who I left behind to fight in that stupid war..."

"Yeah... it sounds like they mean a lot to you."

Rainbow gave a nod, glancing away from him.

"They do... but they can take care of themselves. They're on Princess Luna's flagship after all."

Tom gave her a reassuring smile. "That one badass princess you were talking about? I'd say. But don't worry, apparently, we have magic here too. Once Arty shows up..."

"It's been a week," Rainbow sighed. "And Captain Harkness said he disappeared right after landing."

"Yeah I know... Jacob's still feeling that tingling sensation in his chest after trying to stop him..."

"Personally, I don't trust him or Captain Harkness," Rainbow grunted. "Convenient he was in your squad along with Arty... and tried to cover up my existence. He hasn't even visited in a week!"

"Yeah... took those two Germans off with him to downtown Cardiff and disappeared."

A beat of silence.

"But yeah... if the Elements you were talking about are so powerful, why didn't you use them against the griffins? The invading armies!"

Rainbow glanced away from him. "It's uh- complicated... let's just say that for them to work... my friends and I have to see... well eye to eye. This war has... made things difficult. It's been changing us all... slowly."


A month earlier.

"Leave me alone!" Rarity cried to Rainbow, weeping in her special quarters aboard the Nocturnal Thunder. "I-I don't deserve to see anyone, just like I don't deserve to be in this war!"

"Rarity," Rainbow gulped. "It was a mistake... you were trying to stun him..."

"I killed someone, Rainbow! I don't care who it was, they didn't deserve that! And I don't deserve the guilt! I never wanted to be part of this... ruffian brawl. This stupid, pointless war!"

"Everyone has to fight, Rarity-"

"Then why aren't you doing it?!" she shouted, suddenly gunning towards her 'friend.' "Shoot one of them with your crossbow, end them, instead of avoiding it like everyone's been saying! Then tell me how you feel about that!"

Rainbow winced. "I... I can't..."

"Then just leave, Rainbow. I don't wish to speak to anyone..."

"A-Alright..."

Rainbow nodded, and slowly sauntered out.


Tom shook his head in disbelief. "And it was like that with all your friends?"

"Yeah," Rainbow nodded. "Twilight and Applejack are the only ones taking it alright, though Twilight's shut herself off from everyone and is pretty much locked into her books when she isn't fighting. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie though... I really don't want to talk about."

Tom nodded. "I understand... I really do. War can fuck up your mind." He winced slightly. "Even if you're not even in one."

"Rarity was right though," Rainbow sighed. "The war is so stupid... it all started over a tiny piece of territory the griffins wanted... a fight broke out. Both sides took casualties, and next you know a system of alliances was activated that's made our world a bloodythirsty general's goldmine. Everypony else, however..."

"How it started sure sounds familiar," Tom sighed. "The World War that came before the one happening here..."

"The one your-"

"Yeah..."

Rainbow winced. "Sorry..."

"It's 'cool', as ya always liked to say... I'm over it for the most part."

"It's hard... I know..."

"Yeah, it is..." Tom then smiled slightly. "But it's nice to have someone- somepony, pardon me, who gets me, ya know?"

Rainbow gave a slight smile. "You know... there was more than one reason than me coming here to save your sorry butt..."

"Oh come on, this moment is already sappy enough," Tom said, sticking out his tongue.

"Sappy?! Pfffft, I just came back to try those apples you were always raving about on your farm... back in the good ole' days..."

"The Great Depression wasn't exactly good," Tom said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah but it was... simple, for me, at least.... sorry, I know it-"

"It sucked less than it did to most people," Tom grinned, before his face turned serious again. "So... what do you plan on doing now?"

"What kind of question is that? I stay with you here, we round of some Teranids, kick a lot of butt and end this crummy war, and then we head home! We'll break the cycle of hatred here before it becomes too bloody!"

Tom closed his eyes. "Rainbow... it won't be that simple. And I thought you didn't trust Arty..."

"Well... yeah," she admitted. "But I still want to help you fight! This country... it's been treating me like nothing but a hero. The Germans are the bad guys in this, after all. That Hitler guy sounds like a real piece of work, and they've been the aggressors!"

"They're not the bad guys... they're just on the wrong side of the fence, Dashie..." Tom sighed.

She shrugged. "Whatever, not like I want to kill them... just break a leg or two so they can't fight anymore! We'll start in French-"

"France.*"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Whatever - then work our way to Germany."

Tom stared at her blankly. "Rainbow... I'm just a mediocre pilot and you're one pegasus with a wounded wing. And we don't even know where more Teranids are at the moment... I thought they just wanted to come home, anyway, not fight?"

"Yeah... I guess that was true..." Dashie sighed.

Suddenly, a voice rang from the doorway.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Rainbow, is it? It is a very noble suggestion you speak of."

Tom twirled about, his eyes widening.

"Holy... holy cr- I mean uh-"

He gave a gulp, not knowing what to say next.

Winston Churchill was standing right before him.

"Ah, and Tom Mayflower. I've heard much about you," Churchill chuckled. "Though your affiliation with our friend here still baffles me."

"It's uh... a very long story, sir-"

"Please, call me Winston," he said, smiling politely.

"Winston..." Rainbow said, scratching her head. "Wait! Winston Churchill, right?! Oh my gosh, so you're the leader of this place!"

"Mph, on good days," he smiled. "I'm just their representative..."

"And an awesome speech writer! Seriously, 'we will fight them on the land, and on the sea!' It sounds like something a pegasus would write!"

"Ah, so there are more of you..." the prime minister said, smiling slightly.

"Yeah... so what?" Rainbow said, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

Tom gave a cough. "Mr. Prime Minister, sir... her people-"

"Are very far away, and out of reach, this I know," he nodded. "Though you'll excuse me for not trusting my sources."

"Mph," Rainbow said, folding her arms.

"Be polite," Tom grunted. "This guy is famous even in America."

He gave another chuckle. "Mostly due to my chats with Frederick, I'd say. They tend to garner the press."

Tom smiled back at him.

"Anyway, I'd like to apologize for not dropping by sooner. It's been a busy war, but I do confess that I enjoy cigars and fine wine too much for my own good, sometimes..."

"Can't blame you for having fun on your off hours," Rainbow said, smiling slightly.

"If only Parliament thought the same way," he sighed. "But yes... it seems you are getting better. And I do confess, I did have an overwhelming curiosity to see if this wasn't just some sort of well-played hoax... but now, seeing you with my own eyes... it is quite amazing."

"Heh, what's not to love," Dashie grinned. "I am pretty awesome, right Tom?"

"... When you're not getting shot."

She narrowed her eyes. "Clowns, Tom. So many clowns."

"I hate you."

"No you don't," she grinned.

Churchill raised an eyebrow. "I believe I'm unfamiliar with the term 'awesome', but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you mean your act of saving Britain's primary Spitfire factory: then I would agree that act was indeed just that: 'awesome.'"

"Mehhhh, it was nothing. I should tell you about this guy named Discord sometime..."

"Don't do it. She'll brag for hours," Tom sighed.

Winston gave another chuckle. "I would dearly enjoy hearing of your exploits in the other world, my friend... but I am curious... why did you choose to come to this one?"

Dashie remained silent for a moment.

Tom gave a cough. "It was uh... for me, Sir-"

"Winston."

"Er yes, Winston. She came for me... I would be dead if she didn't."

Winston nodded slowly. "Indeed, and it is quite fortunate you're not. Britain owes you a great deal as well: just coming here was an act of true bravery."

"Heh... thanks, but I don't deserve any praise," Tom sighed.

"Nonsense," Churchill chuckled. "But yes, because of you, Rainbow came here, and I'm going to guess because of you, and I apologize if I am piercing this together wrong, that she decided to finish what you started: taking down the German bomber formation."

"Well... it wasn't just that," Dashie said. "I uh... well, humans... used to live in Equestria. They were good people. Tom and I just thought that a certain... cycle may have been started on this world... I wanted to help break it."

"What cycle do you speak of? There are many that go on in this world," Winston said, taking a puff from his cigar.

"Hey!" Dashie suddenly called, avoiding the subject. "Those are what cigars are?! You write too awesome of speeches to croak it cus of that habit."

Winston gave a hearty laugh. "If I had a penny... my dear, I would rather die a few years early than die a few years later without a quick puff the reaper's way."

"If you say so... but yeah, I want to help break the cycle of hatred... but... why did you come to me?"

Winston nodded. "I am curious to hear more of this 'cycle of hatred', but I must be honest with you: though you have done a great thing for the nation I love, this war is far from over. Your presence in our nation has been a great morale boost. Though I wouldn't expect you to cart around a machine gun and shoot at German fighters-"

"Which would be awesome!"

"If you were to fly with our formations... it may look as if the supernatural is on our side."

"But I'm not supernatural!" Rainbow grunted. "I'm just a pony, a pony from-"

"A mythical land filled with mythical creatures," Winston smiled. "And the public... doesn't need to know that."

"You want them to... think what they want about me?"

"In a manner of speaking. You can just say you come from a 'far off land' if they question you..."

"Well uh... I'll think about it. But I'm more than capable of fighting... wait til the Germans taste a Sonic Rainboom!"

Winston Churchill blinked.

"It's uh... when she goes into overdrive... and goes really fast," Tom said. "Creates this big ole boom... I only saw her do it once, though."

"Oh, those were the days," Dashie chuckled. "I can do them anytime I want now!"

"Ahhh," Winston smiled. "You may fight if you wish, but I will not ask of it of you. Though still... this cycle of hatred..."

"Well uh..." Dashie coughed. "Basically... Tom thinks that when humans... go to war with each other, it creates grudges between people... between countries. And those grudges start other wars. Well, I was hoping to help do that... on a smaller scale - to end this war early. You know, fight for Britain, but take out Nazis without hurting them! It kind of makes sense, I guess."

Churchill closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid it wouldn't be that easy."

"I could totally take Nazis out-"

"By that I mean it's too late for us, my friend," Churchill smiled weakly. "This war... has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives... it will not end easily. In fact, despite that my particular country is on the defensive, many are saying that we should not end the war without Germany's total surrender. And despite the fact they are being led by someone who can speak very well, but perhaps not think very well... that will not be an easy task."

"B-But with my help..."

"You may be powerful," Winston said. "But one bomber was enough to shoot you down."

Rainbow winced. "That's cus I didn't go full-out! I could Sonic Rainboom entire formations of German planes! Send them spinning out of control!"

"That may cause casualties... and it may not even be effective," the Prime Minister sighed. "Wars... are complicated matters. Yes, they are fueled by hatred, and a lot of times are sparked by it, but they are still fought over many things... religion, different ideals, resources, land... sometimes with little to no hatred involved. This war... is going to be the longest of them all. Many will die on both sides. Cities will burn. Perhaps even the one we reside in... perhaps even Berlin."

"B-But-"

"My dear, you will not be able to change humanity. No one man... nor pegasus can. We must change ourselves, and I thoroughly believe it to be possible. This war... though horrible it may be... I believe will burn a hole so deep in our collective memory, that one so large shall never happen again. After it... though with trial and error, I believe humanity will finally begin to learn from its past mistakes... and move on." His smile returned once again. "Don't worry about us, in the end... we shall prevail over our own... desires."

Rainbow shook her head. "So... you don't think I'll be a help..."

"I never said that," the Prime Minister said, raising a finger. "Our nation has taken heavy losses... our people need a hero. However, asking you, an outsider to join into the effort when you have already done so much... without true motivation other than to fight by your friend's side... I believe is unacceptable."

"But you were just asking to fight for you a second ago!"

"No, I was asking you to act as a morale booster, not to enter combat. But you wouldn't be doing that, would you? You would follow Tom here into the dark and back..."

Tom glanced downward. "And I... don't plan to fly anymore... not at the moment. I have some thinking to do."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "What?! Even after they shot you down!"

"It ain't my fight, Rainbow... never was..."

Winston nodded. "That's quite alright... though I hope your stance won't reflect the rest of your nation's forever. We need the New World." He then turned back towards Rainbow. "However... I believe Equestria is fighting a war of its own, correct? Though I wish I could have you here, if Tom were not to fight, and without your proper motivation... perhaps it's there you belong."

He then gave Rainbow and Tom a true smile. "It's been good to get to know you two; Rainbow, you will always be an object of my curiosity. If you cannot find a way back to your own world... I don't believe this will be our last chat." He then glanced towards Tom. "And someday, perhaps you'll fight not for Britain, but by its side. Those like you could end this war quickly if they wished... and keep their morals intact while doing it." He tipped his brown hat their way, and then lit another cigar. "Have an easy recovery, Rainbow, and both of you have a good day."

"I-It's been an honor, Si- Winston," Tom managed to stutter out.

"That's a good lad," he winked.

"Though you should still quit smoking!" Rainbow called.

Winston merely chuckled, before walking out of the room and leaving Tom stunned. Literally. He wouldn't move a muscle.

"Uh... Tom?"

He remained still.

"Tom..."

A manic grin began forming on his face.

"Oh crap-"

"I JUST WENT AND DUN MEANT A PIECE OF FRIGGIN' HISTORY! YEEEEEEHAW!"

Rainbow face-hoofed.

"Good Celestia... you're like Twilight fused with Applejack.... and it's confusing as hell to me! You're lucky you've never bumped your head too hard or you'd lose your yolk for brains!"

"And you're still very cute when you get angry," Tom grinned.

"Dawww... thanks," Rainbow said, before her eyes widened. "Wait a minute, did you just say CUTE?! Oh that's it, you're totally getting your skinny human butt kicked! I ain't no dream no longer, pardner!"

With that, Rainbow lept out of bed, and though her wing was still casted up, she began to chase Tom about the room, both of them grinning all the way.