//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: On a New Wing // Story: Stormriders: Luna's Own // by PonyMarine //------------------------------// EADF Flight Academy Hoovington Drill Field/Aerial Demonstration Arena Flight School Class 327 - Graduation 1530 local time background music The stadium was filled with ponies. The families of the seven hundred pegasi graduating from the EADF Flight Officer Candidate Course generated a roar that could even drown out a Striker engine at full burn. As the mass formation swooped into the stadium, the roar got even louder, practically shattering Candidate-that is Flight Officer Flare's hearing. The stormcloud grey colt felt the wind causing his bright orange mane and tail to flutter in the wind and sent a chill down his back. A quick glance over at the dark purple and navy blue maned mare beside him, Flight Officer Zephyr, his wing mate and best friend at the academy, told him she was similarly affected. 'Can't let it show though, have to maintain bearing, we're about to get our wings!' The Senior Flight Instructor brought the candidates to a perfect halt-and-hover landing in close order, before the reviewing stand. "SQUADRON! ATTEN-HUT!" The old aviation veteran turned to the stand and saluted. "General, Class 327 prepared for graduation." The old General returned the salute with the snap and precision of a stallion with half his years. "Excellent, Major. You may take your post. Fillies and gentlecolts, it is my pleasure to present to you class 327 of the finest fliers Equestria has to offer. These young ponies have volunteered to fight tooth-and-hoof to defend our country and we appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and their heroism. However, I regret to inform you that I am not the colt to send these brave young warriors forth into the blue skies." The General paused for a moment, enjoying the confusion and murmurs throughout the class and the assembled crowd. "Fillies and gentlecolts it is my singular honor to introduce to you Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna of Equestria." As Princess Luna came up the reviewing stand, in that moment, you could have heard a pin drop. Whatever the crowd had been expecting, this was not it; but the moment was immediately over and the audience erupted in applause for the recently returned Princess, who had just resumed her public duties about Equestria. The Princess's coat was rich and shining, her eyes sharp and clear. When she spoke her voice was soft, but with a timber that implied strength and confidence. "Fillies and gentlecolts, it is a pleasure to share this day of celebration for these skilled young fliers with you. Flying is my own personal passion and getting to share it with the brave aviators of class 327 is a singular pleasure. It is also my pleasure to inform you all of a change in the EADF. Before my…leave of absence, I was the commander of the EADF; and the 368th Night Fighter Wing was my personal squadron, Princess Luna's Own. They’ve maintained this designation for the last thousand years and are now resuming their duties as my personal squadron at Canterlot Aerospace Defense Force Base. This is especially exciting news for you, the fliers of class 327, as two of your number have been given orders to join the squadron." That gave the audience and the class a real cause for pause. A slight shiver of motion went through the ranks; each of the seven hundred assembled cadets trying to figure out who had been singled out from amongst them for such an honor. "Flight Officer Flare and Flight Officer Zephyr, if you could join me on the reviewing stand please?" Flare and Zeph took a sidelong glance at each other and quickly fell out of the formation, marching up to the reviewing stand with Flare in the lead. The pair of stunned pegasi came to a halt, faced and saluted. "Your Highness, Flight Officers Flare and Zephyr reporting as ordered!" The Princess smiled, obviously slightly amused by the formality. "At ease, flight officers" The Princess approached, an aide quickly trotted up with a tray on which two sets of flight wings and a pair of unique looking squadron patches sat. "You are both to be commended. Your skill and passion for flying made you stand out amongst your classmates. Flight Officer Flare, your daring, courage and penchant for aerobatics are of particular note. Similarly Flight Officer Zephyr your intelligence and level head will serve you well as you fly with the 368th." The rest of the ceremony was a daze for both the young flyers, as was the avalanche of backslapping and congratulations from their classmates after. With no families to separate out and find, Zeph and Flare made a quick exit and celebrated their good fortune. The longtime friends were overjoyed to be able to keep flying together. But having caught the notice of someone as important as Princess Luna? It was almost too good to be true. Early the next morning the young flight officers shouldered their bags and departed in to the dawn for Canterlot AFB.