Fire in the Sky
The skies of Equestria were burning. It would not be long before the countless herd of the astrals arrived.
In the wreckage of Ponyville, the invaders had gathered to greet their brethren. Only two ponies remained behind amidst the ruin they had created.
“Why don't they attack?” asked Twilight.
“Because they believe they have already won,” answered Luna. “They know once their brethren arrive, we will not be able to stop them.”
In the distance, the earth rumbled as the first of the new astrals made landfall.
“We have to try!” insisted Twilight. “We can't just let them win!”
“No,” said Luna. “We can not. I shall defend my kingdom to my last breath, as I expect you would.”
“But there has to be a way to win!”
Luna looked towards the horizon. “Look, Twilight Sparkle, towards the sky.”
“I've seen it! The astrals are here, and it's all my fault! I get it!”
“No, it is not the astrals.”
On the horizon, dozens of dark shapes were moving closer and closer to Ponyville. As they drew closer, Twilight realized they were no longer alone in this fight. It was the pegasi guard of Canterlot, come to battle. Then Twilight noticed the train coming in from Canterlot, going at a speed she would have thought impossible.
The pegasi arrived first, landing directly in the town center with Twilight and Luna. The astrals still did not stir.
“Your Highness!” shouted one of the pegasi, garbed in an electric blue flightsuit. Twilight recognized her as Spitfire of the Wonderbolts. “On our way in, we have seen many, many more of these things. They are crash landing all over Equestria, and seem to be running here!”
“Excuse me,” said another pegasus, garbed in armor. “Your Highness. We are prepared to face any threat in the name of Equestria. Reinforcements are arriving by train from Canterlot. For the time being, what is your command?”
Luna looked out at the pegasi, assembled and ready for her orders.
“Well met, Commander Spitfire and General Striker. I assume you have been briefed on the stakes?”
“A good soldier never enters the fray without good intel, ma'am,” said General Striker.
Luna turned her attention to the circle of astrals gathering around them.
“We are vulnerable and surrounded in our current position. We must escape and meet our reinforcements at the train station. That will mean fighting through their lines. It is a grim task, but if we do not move now, they will soon be too numerous. I assume you have all been given protection by my sister?”
“We have, ma'am.”
“Then let us charge!” shouted Luna, already taking off towards the astrals. Twilight and the pegasi followed behind her.
The astrals stared out at the oncoming ponies. Their burning eyes betrayed no hint of fear. Several of them rose into the air, ready to challenge the ponies.
Spitfire slammed hard into one of the astrals, hurtling them both to the ground. Several Pegasi followed suit, taking advantage of their heat protection to physically dive their enemies.
Inbetween devastating kicks and utilizing the more practical abilities of her sharp horn, Luna peppered the astrals with a variety of dark spells. She cut through their ranks at incredible speeds.
Twilight followed behind the Princess. She had never trained in combat magic like the unicorn guards of Canterlot, but crushing the astrals with the debris around them seemed to be working just fine for the time being.
Spitfire screamed as the astral bucked her off and back into the sky. She stabilized herself, and then flew back down towards her opponent. It quickly dodged, and she nearly crashed into the ground. As she pulled herself out of the dive, a powerful blow slammed her flank, throwing her balance. She tilted her momentum into a roll, then turned about back towards the battle.
“You're pretty fast, aren't ya?” shouted Spitfire. The astral was silent.
“Well I've got news for you,” she shouted as she launched herself towards her opponent. “I've craved speed since I was a foal!”
The astral dodged her charge again, but Spitfire shifted her pattern upwards, looping around for another attack. Her projected hoof caught the astral across the face.
“I beat every arrogant, hot-shot upstart at the academy, and finished first in class!”
Another hoof connected against the astral's head.
“I spent hours every single day flying that same damned course, building my speed, and my agility, and my strength! That's why nopony, not even some freak from beyond the moon, gets the best of me!”
Spitfire spun her body about in the air, and launched her back hoof into the astral. It fell several feet before trying to recover. It never got the chance, as the speeding frame of Spitfire fell upon it, throwing them both towards the ground. It was too late for the astral to act. It impacted upon the earth, crushed between the ground and Spitfire's force.
Spitfire turned towards the rest of the astrals.
“MY NAME IS SPITFIRE! I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THE WONDERBOLTS AND THE BEST DAMNED FLYER IN THE UNIVERSE! NOW WHO'S NEXT?”
Another Pegasus in a blue flight suit landed next to her.
“Uh, Spitfire?”
“What, Soarin'?” she demanded.
“I think you got their attention.”
Ten of the astrals took to the air and charged them.
“Me and my big mouth,” lamented Spitfire.
Art Used: http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=Spitfire&order=9&offset=120#/d4fufah