Stairway to Heaven
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The freemen of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
I took a smoke as the radio played. The taste of nicotine calmed down my pounding heart and the nervous twitch in my right eye. The seas were rough as our landing boat pushed against them. The filtered sunlight from the cloudy sky did little to calm my nerves. I fiddled with my gun strap, flicking it up and letting gravity push it down.
General Eisenhower had a way with words. His speech, even on repeat, caused goosebumps to spread along across my body. It’s odd to think that such a speech could give a man hope that he may come out alive.
It’s been an hour since I embarked on this landing craft to fight on the beaches of Normandy against the Germans. The great crusade as Eisenhower called it. It feels less like a great crusade and more like a grave ship sending up to our deaths. Every minute we got closer to the beaches. Bullets were beginning to ricochet of our landing craft as the Germans began taking potshots.
Despite the munitions, it was silent on the boat beside a few words or the sound of those with a weaker stomach letting it out. Occasionally, there was a word or two from the one piloting this death trap letting us know that we were about to charge into enemy machine guns as the first wave of this invasion.
I took a long drawl of my cigarette, throwing it out the side of the craft. The hot smoking permeating inside my lungs, taking the stress of possible death down a tiny notch. I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can get another one. I hope it’s sooner rather than later. I rubbed my face and yawned. Didn’t get much sleep last night either.
The sound of gunfire and ricochets became more frequent as the pilot screamed, “Brace yourself, we are close!” We all stood up as I let out a nervous sigh. The knot in my stomach tightened as nervous energy was causing my body to twitch with anticipation.
I pulled out the last letter of my sweetheart, Astrid. A lock of her hair inside the envelope. I took a sniff, the smell of lavender filled me with the hope that maybe just maybe I’ll survive. I took the letter out and began reading for who knows how many times.
Dear Alexander,
I miss you so much. It’s been only a month since I last saw you but to me, it feels like an eternity. As to your last letter, I put some thought into it and asked my parents. My answer is yes, I will marry you. Dad was a little skeptical about you at first but you really left a great impression on him. Mom absolutely adores you. I absolutely adore you. I just want you to know that no matter what I will love you. I know that you may forget but I want you to remember forever.
Love your future wife,
Astrid
Her kiss firmly planted on the right-bottom side of the letter. A wet smile appeared on my face. I sniffled and rubbed it away, closing the letter and shoving it into a pocket.
To the melody and orchestra of gunfire added the screams and yells of those who already landed. Gritting my teeth, I held a death grip on my rifle. The landing craft came to a sudden stop. “READY MEN!?” Our lieutenant bellowed. “GO GO GO!” The door fell opened as many in the front charged out only to be gunned down by machine guns. Iron and gunpowder bursting through the air as splatters of my comrade’s blood smacked into those behind them.
Some began giving covering fire only to be picked off by snipers. Is it morbid and sinful to say that I’m glad that I’m in the back? The front two lines of our platoon were being bullet sponges, allowing those in the back enough time to charge forward and find decent cover. Only there was no decent cover.
It was only seconds before I found myself in front of the lander. I charged out, deciding rather than finding cover that I’ll make myself a very hard target to hit. There was a little nook that, if prone, should provide a decent bit of cover for me. I sprinted and jumped over obstacles, sliding to the nook. The problem was that the sand had too much fiction and my slide came to a stop then a weird-looking thing dropped right next to me.
The head was metal but the handle was wooden. It dawned on me that it was a grenade. Fuck, it’s a grenade! Around me were oblivious men. My men. While I’m certain a lot of them aren’t even from my squad and I don’t really know many of their names, they have people they need to go back to. I have someone to go back to. Yet, I’m the only one who saw the stick of death plant itself firmly in the sand. I covered the grenade with my body and let the whole world turn to darkness.
Meanwhile in the Magical Land of Equestria
Fruitfly was not a happy pony. She has been sitting in the doctor’s office for a good chunk of an hour with anticipation of results. Her fertility results. Her wife and she have been trying for a foal for a while now and while Fruitfly was certain her wife was fertile, the lack of necessary parts for pregnancy made it hard to just get a sperm donor. Besides, Fruitfly wanted a foal who was blood to both her and her wife. Not that adoption was wrong or anything and those who adopted were the noblest of ponies, but there is something wonderful and special about having a foal who was a combination of both you and the one you love.
The doctor rapt a little melody on the wooden door. Fruitfly thought a doctor knocking was a waste of time as this was his workplace. He didn’t need to knock. Nachtfyre rubbed the back of her wife’s withers and bat-like wings as Nacht answered for her little peach, “Come in.”
A unicorn doctor came in levitating a clipboard with a nurse following him, “So, your test results came back.”
“Obviously.” Fruitfly snarked, her heart beating fast. Nachtfyre glared at her wife with her yellow eyes for being rude but Fruit didn’t even notice. The light-peach-pink-coated thestral was too busy looking through the wall.
The doctor ignored the snark, “You’re a healthy thestral with very good muscle quantity and healthy diet. You’ve obviously been taking care of your health quite well and-”
“Doctor, please, just tell me what I want to know.”
The doctor sighed deeply and ran a hoof in his mane, setting down the clipboard, “You are infertile caused by…” Fruitfly tuned out, her blood running colder than a windigo’s winter. Her whole world was turned upside down at that moment. She didn’t care what the doctor said about why she’s infertile.
It didn’t matter. All that matters is that she’ll never have that paternal, blood connection with the one she so loves. It hurt, the pain was like somepony was branding her as broken and worthless. The mare didn’t even notice when they left the clinic. She didn’t care. She couldn’t hear her wife at all even as they began their flight back to their home.
She wanted a foal. She wanted one so terrible much. She wanted to see that foal grow up to becoming a beautiful and wonderful pony. She wanted to see that pony do wonderful things and be proud of them. She wanted to have grandfoals. She wanted it so much that the pain she felt in her chest numbed every part of her.
Fruitfly gazed with her blue eyes into the night sky with not a cloud in sight. Luna’s moon anew with her tapestry in vibrate view. A star streaked across the sky moving swiftly. The light peach-pink mare mumbled, her breath showing in the cold night air, “Oh Luna please give me a foal.”
Also Meanwhile in the Magical Land of Equestia
BOOM!
The vibrancy of color and very loud boom permeated the skies over the Everfree forest, waking up its neighbors in Ponyville. Many stumbled out of their beds while others somehow slept through the whole experience. Though no one wanted to check what caused the boom and aurora over the Everfree. Especially not this late at night.
Except for one certain pony. Twilight Sparkle was absolutely pissed that someone just ruined her concentration. Her mane a poofy mess as she accidentally put too much of Substance A into Substance B causing a chain reaction that exploded right in her face.
Indeed, Twilight Sparkle was NOT a happy pony. Though Pinkie Pie was as she somehow peeked over the window… on the fifth floor, looking at the pissed princess of friendship with her blue eyes and a very big smile on her face. “TWILIGHTDIDYOUSEETHATITWASSOAWESOMEITWENTLIKEBOOMTHENALLTHEPRETTYCOLORSAPPEAREDANDTHENYOUWENTBOOMANDNOWYOURMANELOOKSLIKEMINE!!!!!!!!”
The purple mare ignoring the pink one, “Ugh, Pinkie Pie, it’s… wait what time is it?” Twilight didn’t have a clock. Well, she did but it exploded too not that she ever used it.
“Nearly Tensy o’clock!”
Twilight ranted, “NEARLY TENSY O’CLOCK? Ugh, I knew I should’ve put that alarm on. But no, I had to believe I would be responsible with my time. Now my sleep schedule is RUINED!” Rubbing the exhaustion out of her eyes. Twilight has been working all night on a new agent that she was certain was a health potion. Of course, it all exploded in her face along with her notes and clock.
“Look outside!” Pinkie finally stepped inside, pulling Twilight to the window.
Twilight sighed and pushed her head out. The aurora of vibrate lights that danced in night skies over the Everfree forest mesmerized the princess. She nearly fell out of the window looking at the lights. “Pinkie, what happened?”
The incredibly pink pony pouted, “I just told you! There was a boom and now there are all kinds of super-duper pretty lights.” Pinkie took a thoughtful second as parts of her body began to twitch, “THIS CALLS FOR A PARTY!” And the pink pony was off somewhere. Twilight will never understand Pinkie’s abilities. Rather than understanding it, Twilight just rolled her eyes instead. It’s easier that way and she already has too much anxiety trying to figure out her role as the Princess of Friendship.
The purple pony princess galloped and swerved around her crystal castle. It took a little bit of getting used to the complicated halls and Twilight had to get a cartographer to make close to a whole twoty copies to laminate and post them all around the castle so no pony could get lost. She definitely didn’t want another bathroom finding incident to happen again. She shivers as she remembers how she peed herself like a foal.
Twilight charges into a room and nudges a little purple scaled dragon with green spines, “Spike! Spike, wake up, we have an emergency!”
“Five more minutes.”
“This is important, wake up!” The dragon just rolled over and slapped her with his tail. Twilight’s eye twitched a bit before getting a bucket of cold water and giving the poor dragon a little bath.
“GAAAAAAAH!” The dragon screamed in unwanted awakening.
Twilight levitated a scroll next to her assistant, “Spike, send this letter to Princess Celestia!”
“What? What’s happening?”
“No time to explain, quickly!”
Spike nodded, inhaled then exhaled a gout of fire, burning the paper, sending it to the princess of the sun. “Can I go back to bed-” Twilight was already gone, “Oh.” Spike shrugged and fell back to slumber. He had a lovely dream about Rarity again but don’t tell him that.
The sun was dawning over the horizon when Twilight began her gliding. The cool air ruffled her awake. Even though she hasn’t gotten quite used to flying, she has gotten used to gliding. The princess glided over Ponyville. She needed to gather her friends with haste. The purple mare’s lavender eyes were once again mesmerized by the aurora over the Everfree. “I hope it’s nothing.” She gulped down her anxiety about the coming day.
Back to Alex
You know, the good preacher talks about death being like a tunnel of light that leads to heaven. But for me, it wasn’t like that. Instead of a tunnel, it was just bright. Really bright. So bright and brilliant that I was blinded by it. I blinked several times and pushed my head into my uh wait something is weird.
My eyes were opened again as the world came to focus. Specifically, the weird-looking… wait are those hooves? I moved one, oh dear lord Jesus Christ, I moved a light-peach-pink-colored hoof. Then I moved the other hoof. I waved it around trying to figure out what in the world is going on. There was fluffy-looking fur that enveloped it. Everything about this was very peachy. I chuckled at my pun. The noise came out instead was a small little giggle. I blinked as I pushed myself up a little, “Hello?” I asked the gray rocks around me, my echoing voice was very adorable and raspy. I blinked again at that as I tried to pick myself up.
It was a very wobbly adventure as I quickly discovered that my body was NOT made for walking on two legs and it felt like rubber. What I’m trying to say is I crashed and burned right against a wall causing the stars to come out for a moment.
Then I moved my wing. Wait. I turned my head to my side. I had a wing. Next, I looked to the other side, there was also a wing. And not just any wings but bat-looking wings. Okay, this is starting to get really weird. I laid up against a wall for support as I took in the surroundings. I was in a decrypted castle’s throne room. Only, there were two thrones instead of one. Which was odd but having hooves and bat wings was also really odd. Also, my mouth felt larger, though I still had my canines so that part wasn’t weird.
Alright, let’s look at what I know so far about myself. I’m in a ruined castle, I have hooves, I have bat wings, I have a tail, I sound like a child, my hair… mane is long, my fur(?) is a peachy color, my mane and tail are a very pastel blue, my mouth is elongated but is about the same except much straighter teeth, my ears can move which is neat, and I’m pretty sure that my field of vision is wider. I can only guess that I’m some sort of horse or pony or something. I’m also hungry and that is causing me some problems. What’s also causing me problems is the fact that I move like a newborn horse.
“Okay, Alex. You can do this. Just put your right foot, wait for no hoof out, no wait, put your right hooves out then do the same for the other side.” I took my first real step without falling. Being four-legged is weird. Being this equine thing is weird. Why is everything so weird today? Is this really heaven? Is heaven really just a bunch of horses/pony/something? I wonder what the good preacher would do if he knew we’re all just a bunch of weird horses in heaven.
Anyway, I moved along the walls as I took a real look around. I have to get out of here and find food soon. Fortunately, there were no collapses and there was a massive opening on the opposite side of the thrones. I am sure that’s the exit!
I felt like a penguin as I waddled towards the opening, only losing my balance twice. I’m getting rather good at being a pony thing so far. Maybe even the best pony thing.
Only then, I heard several clopping sounds echoing from the exit. I just realized that I’m in an abandoned castle and probably nowhere, alone and without a weapon or the ability to fend for myself. So no shit, there I was probably about to get murdered by a serial killer or a pack of wild predators. I mean, who actually comes to an abandoned castle? Archeologists, historians, and tourists probably, most likely. Maybe whatever is moving towards me is friendly. Maybe they’re like me or something like that. Or maybe it’s a terrifying monster that loves eating whatever I am. Oh god, do I need a smoke right about now! Maybe a drink too while we’re at it.
There were several voices, “If my calculations are correct, the aurora should’ve been coming from inside the throne room.”
There was a loud yawn, “Come on, Twi, I’m sure it was just some Everfree weirdness and nothing to worry about.”
“Rainbow, when was the last time something weird happened in the Everfree forest and it was nothing?”
“Uh, good point.”
“Dun worry now, Dash, Ah’m sure you’ll get plenty of sleep soon.” A very southern voice chuckled.
I sneaked into the corridor and by sneak, I mean tripped over my own feet… I mean hooves and slammed my skull into the wall again. There was even a loud SLAP for comedic effect. Oh, how I hate my life. The same yawning thing exclaimed, “Don’t worry, I got’em!” I tried to scramble back to my hooves but fell instead again. Come on stupid body move.
There was a blue blur and all sudden I was flying. No seriously, I was flying. Then I realized that I was flying higher. I squirmed and shrieked, “Let me go, let me go! I’m not tasty at all!” The frustration of knowing I was about to die again burst the damn of frustrated tears. “I don’t wanna die again, I don’t wanna. Please let me go.”
“It’s just a squirt.” The voice set me down and I tried to run but fell instead. The voice cracked up in mirth.
I tried to stand up only to fall again, smacking my head against a wall again. “$#!%!” Did my swear word just got beeped out? You know what, I don’t need to know. But seriously, this is the third time now. I think I may have a problem and that could easily be solved with a cigarette. I really want a cigarette god damn it.
“Rainbow,” The southern twang began, “You’re scarin’ the poor filly.” I turned to see an orange pony thing with yellow hair and a cowboy hat. She lent a hoof.
I crawled away this time, my body shaking. I swallowed my spit and felt an anger bubble inside spot, “Who are you!?” I stood up, “If you come any close, I’ll rip out your throat with my teeth!” Baring my fangs at the pony things. A bluff but I can’t let them know I’m terrified.
Ignoring my threat, the blue pony thing with wings flew close, “Oh, a bat pony. Never seen one of those before.” Her magenta eyes inspecting me. She opened my bat wing with a hoof. I smacked her with her, knocking her back. “She’ll be a great flyer one day too.”
A rope popped out of nowhere, grabbing the blue pony thing and pulling her to the ground. “Now, dun go botherin’ her, Dash. Can’t you see she’s terrified?” I just realized that my back legs were shaking. “And it’s impolite to call dem bat ponies. They prefer Thestrals.”
Another pony thing came, she was purple. These pony things sure are colorful, “Girls, what’s going on here?”
“Nothing!” The blue pony thing claimed.
“Rainbow was givin’ this filly a scare.” The orange pony thing gestured to me. The purple one glared at the blue one while the blue one offered a sheepish and embarrassed grin. Also, there was some kind of squeaky toy sound but I’m not sure where that came from
The purple pony thing trotted tentatively towards me. She mumbled, “Hmm, a thestral.” At least I think she mumbled; I could hear her pretty clearly. It was a moment she waited until she greeted me with “Uh hello? My name is Twilight Sparkle.” Giving her best smile, “What’s your name?”
That has got to be one of the strangest names I’ve ever heard but considering she’s an alien, I guess it isn’t unheard of where she’s from. “None of your business, alien!” I growled, taking a few wobbly steps forward. Twilight winced and took a few steps back.
The orange pony thing took a step forward, “Ah’m sorry about Rainbow Dash here, sugarcube, she didn’t mean anything by it.” She took another step and I growled at her in response. She ignored it, “Ah’m Applejack, one of the apple buckers from Sweet Apple Acres. We dun mean any harm. We jus’ came to see what’s all the fuss ‘bout.”
I felt a ping of guilt. They probably don’t mean any harm. I mean, they speak the same language I do. So, they must be friendly. The orange one seems nice. I relaxed a bit. “I am Second Lieutenant Alexander Chernovtsy of the United States Army.” In my head, my voice sounded loud, proud, and intimidating. From the look on the pony things’ faces, I’m going to assume that it was more adorable than anything. My face flushed in embarrassment, “Most people call me Alex.” I shook off the embarrassment, “Anyway, where am I and what am I?”
Twilight chewed on her bottom lip in thought while Applejack was giving me a pitying look. Rainbow Dash was giggling well until Applejack gave her a kick. Rainbow laughed, “You’re a pony, squirt. What else would you be?”
“Don’t call me squirt or so help me I will choke you with your own intestines!” Okay so my swear words get beeps but the threat of death and dismemberment don’t? Of course, this caused the ponies to take a step back with looks of horror except for Rainbow Dash who was giggling up a storm. I felt a ping of guilt from that. Maybe I shouldn’t threaten the aliens who are so much bigger than me. I looked away, “Sorry, I’m just confused.” And currently trying to not piss myself but I won’t mention that part. Oh, how I could use a smoke about right now.
“How ‘bout we all relax and talk it out?”
I took a deep breath, fully relaxing, “Sounds like a good idea. I’m sorry for threatening y’all.” then taking a step and tripping over myself. I groaned heavily while Rainbow chortled at my dismay. Applejack lent me a hoof again. I took it, “I’m still getting used to this weird pony body.”
“That’s okay, sugarcube. How old are you?”
I raised an eyebrow, “Twenty-nine.”
The orange pony furrowed her brow, “Dun ya mean, Twensy, and what’s a nine?”
I raised an eyebrow, “You know, like one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.” I pointed to several things around the throne room.
Twilight bounced up to me with an excited look on her face, “Are you using base-ten?”
I blinked “Uuuh, I’m not exactly sure what you mean, Miss Sparkle.”
“Do you count all the way up to ten?”
“Yeah, but I can go past it.”
“Oh, this is wonderful! I’ve never heard of anypony but Minotaurs use base ten!” I realized that the purple pony in front of me had both wings and a horn. She was also giving excited bounces.
“Uh, okay? What’s that got to do with why I’m here and what am I?” I felt a little bad for wanting her excited bouncing to stop but I really need information
Twilight gave a sheepish smile, “Oh nothing, I thought…” She trailed off; her hooves moved past me. I looked back and saw a somewhat large crater with broken pieces of rubble in and around it. How didn’t I see that before?
Applejack, “Ah think we should get out of ‘ere, sugarcube. The Everfree ain’t a place for young fillies.”
“Okay?” Twilight was doing all sorts of things and taking notes while she was at it, “Are we going to leave her?”
“Nah, Rainbow will be with her.” Rainbow was sleeping peacefully on the castle floor still tied up. Applejack began to walk, I would’ve followed her but fell instead, “Aren’t you a clumsy filly?” She chuckled, picking me up by my neck and setting me on her back. I decided it was for the best despite my pride being hurt.
“Well sorry that I’m used to walking on two legs and not four.” I retorted sardonically.
“What were ya, a minotaur?”
“Minotaur? Those exist?”
Applejack gave me an eye that I couldn’t quite read, “Eeyup.”
“Cool, where am I?”
“In the Everfree Forest, sugarcube.”
I groaned, “Where is the Everfree Forest?”
“Next to Ponyville.” Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. Though a dumb name for a town, we’re getting closer to want I really need.
“Where is Ponyville?”
“Next to Canterlot.” Is that a pun on Camelot?
I groaned, “Okay, but what’s this nation called?”
“Equestria.” Oh, thank you, Lord Jesus Christ. Equestria sounded like a nation even though I’m pretty sure it’s cities and towns are just a bunch of horse and pony puns. Who designed this world?
“Thank you.” I yawned, feeling a little more tired than I thought. My body ached with exertion and really, I just want a nap. I shook my head. No, I can’t sleep, I have to make sure that these ponies are truly trustworthy. My eyelids felt heavy as the whole world went back to darkness. I really really want a smoke.
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Not to be nitpicky, but the UN wasn't founded until after the war ended, in October 1945. Maybe you mean Allied Forces?
10634524
I agree, but I don't think Eisenhower is talking about the organization United Nations as much as the nations that United against the axis. Plus, don't shoot the messager, that was copy-pasted
Wat
No, stop that. Stop it.
10638611
Hehe, the number system is cute though
I personally dislike constant references towards the cartoon sounds used in the shows in fictions. Such as bleeping and squeeky toys. They generally break the flow of the story when outright mentioned, except in cases where the story is about cartoon stuff being abused.
Its nice to see a story where the ponies dont outright say what the protagonist is saying isnt real and not believing them.
Alright, before I continue, I'm going to guess this is a base 6 fic.
10645826
In the First Flight, I have pony number system down for everyone to look at
10634524
Actually fun fact, that is Eisenhower’s actual speech that’s being used in the beginning there. Very inspirational, but he did actually say United Nations.
Heh, trust Sparkle to completely skip over the important parts to focus on the not-yet-relevant...
Oh God.
A society that doesn't uses Base-10
And uses base... eight?
HELL YEAH! GO APPLEJACK!
Every single time I see something about world war 2 I think about Jack Churchill. Who fought with a crossbow, bagpipes, and a scottish longsword.
Fuckin madlad
10685924
Dude was a madlad. Nearly thought about making him some crazy griffin who has a pinching for adventure
10634524
During the war the Allies refered to themselves as the United Nations. The name was later adopted for the international organization.
10685924
Not a crossbow, a long bow.
Reading this, I get a vague impression that he might need a smoke.
Fun fact: a newborn horse can walk, to... some extent, within minutes of being born.