I looked around the small, dimly lit cottage and made sure to keep one hand on the pistol in my coat pocket. As I walked into the small kitchen I noticed a piece of paper lying on the two pony table. Picking it up I looked at it but set it back down on the table and continued looking around.
“What the hell!” A shout came from upstairs and I quickly turned around and looked up the stairs where four others were looking up.
“Rainbow Dash! What’s wrong?” Twilight asked for the group of us. A moment later Rainbow Dash appeared at the top of the steps holding a pair of pink furry hoofcuffs. We all looked around, a bit embarrassed to say the least, and resumed our search outside the house. Grabbing an electric torch from the glove compartment of the car I turned it on and aimed it at the forest. Next to me were the others who all looked nervously at the dark, terrifying looking trees of the Everfree. As I stood looking at the forest I had a sudden thought.
“Ladies, I think I just had a better idea than running around the forest.”
~~~~~
21:30 Hours
February 8, 1987
Fluttershy’s Cottage
~~~~~
Mac sat quietly on the couch in the living room as Lancaster looked around the house. The rest of us stood silently in the living room and I could tell everyone was thinking the same thing. Looking at the mares next to me I noticed Applejack was glaring at her brother while Rainbow Dash’s face was a bright red.
“So Mac,” I started and he looked up at me with the same look of sadness and worry he had earlier “since no one else has had the balls to ask; what’s with the hoofcuffs?” His face somehow got redder than it already was and he looked down again.
“Well, uh, Fluttershy is sorta into that.” He mumbled just enough for us to hear and from the corner of my eye I could have sworn I saw Rainbow Dash’s cheeks glowing red.
“Well what she lets you do-“
“Actually she cuffs me.”
“Uh, Rainbow Dash? Your nose is bleeding.” Rarity said and we all looked over to see blood coming out of Dash’s nose. She hurriedly covered it with her hoof and went on the hunt for tissues. We all stood in silence again but the sound of Lancaster coming downstairs drew our attention away from Mac.
“Well? Anything?” I asked as he adjusted the collar on his coat.
“Besides a disturbing amount of bondage equipment? I found that plenty of personal items had been taken. Also, she seems to be expecting on coming back if she didn’t ask anyone to take care of her animals. She did give them lots of food though which suggests she is planning on being gone for at least a few days. Does she have any family?” He asked as he looked around at all of us.
“Her mom lives in Cloudsdale.” Rainbow Dash said as she entered the room again with a tissue stuck in her nose.
“Then I’d say try looking in Cloudsdale. And Mac, for Celestia’s sake find a new hobby. Now if you’ll all excuse me I’ll be going home.” He put his scarf on and made his way outside. Looking at the others I shrugged my shoulders at them.
“So who’s up for a trip?”
~~~~~
23:17 Hours
February 8, 1987
Cloudsdale Airfield
~~~~~
Climbing out of the VIP modified B-17 I looked around at the only walkable area for non pegasi. Behind me five mares and a red stallion all piled out and waited for their eyes to adjust to the darkness.
“Twilight? You still know that cloud walking spell?” I asked her as she slowly walked forward.
“I never forget a spell.” She replied with sleep in her voice.
“What about that amnesia spell you found a few weeks ago?” Rarity asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Don’t be silly. I think I’d remember if I found an amnesia spell” Twilight said as her horn began to glow. As I stood there I began to feel the magic around me and it soon felt as though the magic was soaking into me down to the bone. Twilight’s horn stopped glowing and we all gently stepped forward towards the clouds. Looking back at all of them I shrugged my shoulders.
“Only one way to see if it worked.” I said. Jumping forward I heard everyone gasp but a second later I was jumping up and down on the cloud. “Hey, it worked!” Everyone gave a sigh of relief and they all began walking towards the terminal. Following them we made our way through the terminal and out to the streets of Cloudsdale. Looking around I found the streets were surprisingly busy. “So, anyone know the address?” I asked looking around.
“Um, 705 Cumulous Lane. If I can remember correctly.” Rainbow Dash stated as she pointed a hoof directly ahead. We began walking in the direction she pointed and I made sure to stick close to Dash.
“So, what brought you back to Ponyville besides the wedding?”
“Luna sent me a letter. She gave me a week leave for what she called ‘exemplary leadership’. Easy to be a good leader when the general for the Fifteenth Air Force doesn’t give us any missions.”
“Hey, your group got that Celestial Citation for that mission to Gryphus.” I said pointing to the ribbon above her right chest pocket. “I’d say you’re a pretty good leader. Even if you did bang that group captain with the One Thirty-Three Squadron.”
“Wait, you know about that?!” She asked with surprise.
“Colonel Dash, I work with the government. We know everything. From what your favorite foalhood cereal was to what shampoo you use.” I replied looking up at the street signs. “There’s a lot of stuff here that shouldn’t be able to be on a cloud.” I said as I looked at the shops along the street.
“It’s all enchanted before it’s shipped here. Most of our stuff would go through the clouds if it wasn’t for magic. Before the three tribes formed Equestria everything pegasi used was made of clouds. We knew nothing about agriculture so most of the food then came from markets along the coast. That’s why pegasi have different teeth than earth ponies and unicorns.” She told me as we turned down a lane near the edge of Cloudsdale. “We adapted to eating the fish from the markets. After the tribes formed Equestria we began to move inland. Although we still eat fish on holidays and other special occasions like birthdays and whatnot.”
“I wondered what that salmon was doing in my freezer.” I said to myself as we walked. Rainbow Dash pointed again; this time to a cloud house just up ahead. We all looked at Mac who was looking down at the lane under his hooves. “You alright Mac?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well we’re all here for ya so if ya need anything just let us know.” Applejack said as she gently placed her hoof on his shoulder. He gave her a weak smile and we all slowly made our way to the door of the house. Rainbow Dash knocked on what looked like a door and a moment later a mare who looked to be in her forties or fifties answered and smiled at Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow, it’s so good to see you.” She said with a voice as kind as a grandmother’s. The mare hugged Dash and apparently just then noticed us. “And you brought friends. It’s always nice to have company.”
“It’s good to see you too Mama Shy. Is it alright if we come in?” Rainbow asked as she broke the hug.
“Of course sweetie. I have some fresh pies and banana bread in the kitchen.”
We all made our way inside the house and followed the older yellow mare into the kitchen.
“So Mama Shy,” I started and she turned to look at me; her greying pink mane shifting as she did “I find it a bit odd that a mare is up this late. There something you want to tell us?” I asked as I grabbed a slice of banana bread. She began glaring at me and I sensed Dash was waving at me to stop.
“I’m always up this late.”
“Alright, who bakes pies and banana bread at eleven in the evening?” I asked her with suspicion in my voice.
“Me. That’s who!” She shouted and Dash immediately rushed over.
“Mama Shy, I think you need to calm down.” Rainbow said as she leaned close to the older mare.
“No! Who in the hell does this asshole think he is?!” She yelled and through the window I saw lights come on across the lane.
“Mama!” We all turned to see Fluttershy standing in the kitchen doorway. “Don’t you dare talk to James like that!” She scolded and I noticed the older one immediately backed down.
“Sorry sweetheart. I’ll just be in the living room if anyone needs me.” Mama Shy said before carefully making her way into the living room. Fluttershy looked around at all of us but focused on the red stallion hiding in the back of the group.
“Mac?” He slowly stepped forward with his head down and his ears back. “Oh Mac, what’re you doing here?” She said in a soft tone as she walked over to him. She looked up at the rest of us and her eyes looked like she had been crying. “What’re any of you doing here?”
“We were worried about you. You ran away.” Twilight replied as she stepped forward.
“Is something wrong darling?” Rarity asked. Fluttershy’s eyes began to water and Applejack helped her sit down.
“I-I went to a special doctor this morning.”
“What kind of doctor?” Pinkie Pie asked. I was surprised at how quiet she had remained through everything.
“It was a fertility doctor. For the last few months Mac and I have been trying to have a foal.” Fluttershy explained as she looked up at us. “Mac went a few days ago and his results came back fine. And then when I went-“ She broke down crying and we all walked over to her and attempted comforting her. Slowly she began to calm down and we stepped back to give her room. Mac on the other hand stayed next to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her. Fluttershy took a deep breath and looked over at Mac who gave her a small smile. “I went to the doctor and he told me I can never have foals.” There were some gasps from the girls and Pinkie’s hair deflated like a leaking balloon. Fluttershy looked over at the large stallion next to her and gently leaned her head against his neck. “Do you still love me?”
“More than anything in the world.” He said as he laid his head on hers.
“Even after I ran away?” She asked as she gently cried against him.
“I would tear the world apart if it meant being with you.” Mac replied as he pulled his head away and gently put a hoof under her chin. She looked up at him and smiled before hugging him. Walking away from the touching scene I made my way into the living room where the older Shy was sitting on a cloud couch with knitting needles and a half finished scarf.
“You were awful defensive earlier. Something you want to tell me?” I asked her as I leaned against a wall.
“Not really.”
“Have you ever been married?”
“I was for thirty five years. My husband passed almost ten years ago.”
“What kind of business was he in? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“He was in waste management.”
“As in genuine waste management or Istallion waste management?”
“Is that any of your concern?”
“Not particularly. I’m just a curious man.” I told her as I crossed my arms.
“Well you know what they say; curiosity killed the cat.”
“But satisfaction brought it back. So, care to answer my question?”
“Not really.”
“Very well.” Turing around I looked at everyone before stepping outside. Pulling out my pack of cigarettes I grabbed one and was about to put the pack away when I heard someone come out as well. Turning around I saw Rainbow Dash walking over next to me.
“Mind if I bum a smoke off ya?” She asked with sleep starting to weigh down her eyes lids.
“Not at all.” I replied as I tossed the pack to her. She took a cigarette out and gave the pack back to me. Leaning down I lit the cigarette for her before lighting my own and slid the pack and lighter back into my pocket. “So, what’s up with Flutter’s mom?”
“She used to be married to one of the biggest crime bosses in this part of Equestria. You’d never know just by looking at her that she basically runs all of Cloudsdale. Then once she goes the business will be turned over to Fluttershy.”
“Fluttershy’s dad was a mob boss?”
“Oh yeah. He had this really big scar on the right side of his face that he’d got in a knife fight. Plus his eye was all foggy so that just made him look scarier. But every time I would come over to play as a filly he was always really nice.”
“And Fluttershy is supposed to somehow take over a crime organization?”
“Sounds weird right?”
“You know, legally I should report her mom for this. But because I helped my uncle and my dad operate a moonshine still when I was a kid; I can’t go preaching following every law in the book. Plus I’ve got something like five unpaid parking tickets from the city of Canterlot.” I told her with a small laugh at the end. We stood silently outside in the night and my mind started to wander to thoughts about the atomic program. ‘I never did hear about that nuclear test. Maybe they postponed it? I know it could end the war but at what cost?’ Looking down at Rainbow Dash I sighed and looked up at the stars. “Hey Dash?”
“Yeah?”
“If you had the power to end this war, to save lives but to take hundreds of thousands at the same time, what would you do?”
“I would try to do what I thought was right but I’d keep the security of Equestria first on my priority list. Why do you ask?”
“Because I have the power to wipe out an entire enemy city in one go; to play God and decide who lives and who dies. And I just can’t do it. Luna expects me to be some kind of tough skinned warrior that’ll have the balls to kill hundreds of thousands of the enemy. But most of them aren’t the enemy. They’re families. Families with children. Do you ever think about that Dash?”
“I try not to. When I fly I feel like I’m piloting my own coffin. My only thought in this war is to stay alive. James, if I were in your shoes, I’d do what was best for the country. That’s all I can say.” She replied as she tossed the cigarette butt away. She turned around and went back inside. ‘What am I supposed to do?’
~~~~~
10:00 Hours
February 9, 1987
Office of the General of the Air Force
Canterlot
~~~~~
“And with your support sir, we will have the backing of a high enough official to form our little group.” A thin stallion with a greying, brown goatee stated as I looked over the photos of paintings on my desk.
“So let me see if I understand this; you want me to give you my support so that you and a group of experts can protect art?”
“That is correct, sir.” He replied.
“Well, you made quite a compelling argument. What can I help you with to begin the group?”
“We need young art experts.”
“All the young experts are already overseas. Fighting. You have my support, but I’m sticking my neck out so you and whoever you find better not disappoint.” I told him as I signed a paper he had set on my desk. Handing it back to him I smiled at him. “Welcome to the air force, Lieutenant. I expect to hear back from you when you have everyone you need.” Standing up I extended my hand and shook his hoof. He walked out into the hallway and I sat back down at my desk. Looking at the bare walls I opened up the top right drawer and pulled out a manila envelope stamped TOP SECRET. Opening up the folder I looked at the black and white photographs of two different bombs at a desert hangar. Flipping the paper over my eyes scanned over another picture, this one of a polished B-29 with its crew standing under the nose. Looking at the rest of the information on the page I set the folder down and picked up the phone on my desk. Punching in extension thirteen I heard Luna pick up the phone in her office.
“Yes James?”
“You mind telling me what Operation Gojira is?”
“Just a little pest control in the South Haycific. Nothing major.”
“Then why is it in with the Manehattan Project?”
“It does require the use of an atomic bomb.”
“As long as it is not used against the enemy. I shall allow the use of nuclear weapons as long as it is only for killing whatever a Gojira is.” I told her.
“Alright. Also, Rommel’s tankers managed to capture a human SS Panzer major. I was planning to see if he would talk to me about their future plans and I would like you to aid me in the interrogation.”
“Me? You remember what happens when I’m allowed to question captured troops don’t you?”
“Yes. Which is why I want you there.” She said before hanging up. I set the handset down and walked out into the hallway. Walking down several flights of stairs to the underground interrogation rooms I turned down a dimly lit corridor and saw Luna waiting for me. “Did you bring your gun?”
“I have a six shooter in my inside chest pocket.”
“Well don’t use it right away. I’d like to see if he talks to me first.” She said as I walked over and opened the storage closet behind her. Grabbing a thick, moldy brick shaped object off a shelf I turned to her.
“Or we just hit him with this old phonebook.” I told her as I held it up.
“James, no. We try it my way first. Alright?”
“Fine.” I groaned as I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. She made her way into the room and shut the door. Looking through the small window I saw her sit down at the table and ask him a question which he ignored. Opening the door I launched the phonebook in his direction and saw it hit him square in the jaw. “Answer the fucking question you fucking shitball!”
“James, I thought I told you to wait.” Luna said as she stood up.
“This is the leader of your air force? No wonder we never saw any fighters.” The blonde man in his black uniform said and I reached into my inside pocket. Luna stepped aside and I sat down on the corner of the table. Pulling out the pistol I pulled on the cylinder release and flipped the cylinder out. Rotating the gun I let the bullets fall out into my hand and set five of them on the table. “Let’s play a little game shall we?” I said to him as I held up the one bullet in my left hand. “But I’m gonna leave this one in cause it’s my favorite.” I told him as I placed the bullet against the cylinder. Flipping the cylinder back into place I lowered the gun and stopped to where the muzzle was pointed towards his groin. “Now, what are the High Command’s plans?”
“Fuck off.”
“Alright then.” Pulling the trigger I heard the gun click and saw him jump and look over at Luna.
“Do something! Stop him!” He shouted with his voice shaking a little.
“Hey, you’re the one that refused to answer my question.” Luna told him.
“What’re the High Command’s plans?!” I asked him again and my voice echoed off the stone walls.
“I don’t know!” He shouted. I frowned at his answer and a click echoed through the room.
“Answer!”
“I said I don’t know!” Another click and he began to panic even more.
“That was three. Six chambers in this gun. One of those next three is gonna take your nuts off unless you tell us what we want to hear.” I told him as I looked at the gun.
“I am sworn to secrecy!” He shouted and I squeezed the trigger which made the hammer emit another click.
“Fifty/fifty chance you get neutered like a dog this next time. Now tell us what their plans are!”
“They’re going to attack Equestria again! Just please do not shoot me!” He pleaded in fear.
“Attack how?”
“I don’t know. All I do know is that they said they would kill Equestria by going for its heart.” The panzer officer stated. I looked back at Luna and she nodded. Raising the gun I placed it in my pocket and held out my left hand which was balled up. Opening my hand up for the SS major to see I showed him the sixth bullet for the revolver.
“This is why you never play a game with me.” I told him as I placed the six bullets in my pocket. “You can never tell when I’m bluffing.” Smiling to the shaking major I walked out of the room and out into the hallway. Turning around I saw Luna shut the door and grin at me.
“Maybe we should make you head of interrogations as well.”
“Maybe. But I’ve already got enough on my plate without dealing with the occasional POW.” I told her as we began to walk down the long corridor.
“I’d also like to ask you a favor James.”
“What is it?”
“The Strategic Scientific Reserve has developed a new type of earthquake bomb. We were hoping you would be the pilot to drop it.”
“Alright. So I’ll see you at Area Thirteen on the twelfth?”
“Of course. Now, I think you have a wedding to go help prepare.”
~~~~~
17:00 Hours
February 11, 1987
Ponyville
~~~~~
Fluttershy and Big Macintosh smiled at each other as they stood at the altar. Smiling as I looked down at them both I open up the small book in my hand. Looking around at all the ponies crammed into the small wedding chapel I nodded to myself before lowering my head and directing my eyes to the book. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Captain Macintosh Apple and Lance Corporal Fluttershy in matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly, and solemnly. Into this – these two ponies present now come to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their piece.”
“Just hitch ‘em already!” An elderly green mare shouted, which earned her a gentle yet firm nudge to the ribs from the yellow earth pony stallion next to her.
“If that’s it then let’s continue. Mac, do you take Fluttershy to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold; for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?”
“I do.” He replied and I looked over to Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy, do you take Mac to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold; for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?”
“I do.” She said and I saw her blushing under her vail.
“Then by the power vested in me by the nation of Equestria, and apparently Granny Smith;” I said with a hand gesture and small laugh towards the old mare “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” Mac carefully lifted the vail over Fluttershy’s face and slowly leaned over to kiss her. Fluttershy rolled her eyes and grabbed Mac’s cheeks and pulled him the rest of the way. Placing the book under my arm I began clapping as everyone else applauded. “Fillies and gentlecolts, I am happy to present Mr. and Mrs. Apple!”