Casualties
As the two F-22 Raptors screeched across the sky the forest below seemed to retract as the two metal beasts flew over head. The two aircraft banked left toward their new destination as the thunderous sound of their mach 2 engines rocked the everfree below. The two pony crew of the lead F-22 discussing political topics as the wing aircraft crew stayed stern and focused. This was to be a routine patrol along the everfree and nothing much ever happened for the creatures below had no way of interacting with the super sonic, magically engineered fighters.
"Are those two idiots talking about cupcakes again?" Questioned the pilot of the side aircraft.
"Na, some gossip about Princess Twilight, rather more intelligent than their last conversation but it hardly matters." Responded the co-pilot.
"How in Celestia's name are we the wingponies when mayonnaise has a higher IQ than those buffoons?"
"I ask myself that question everyday sir." Again responded the co-pilot.
"Wait, What the hell are they doing now!?" Said the Pilot looking on as the lead aircraft started to accelerate and take a slight turn to the left.
"Ill contact them over the radio give me a sec" Said the co-pilot as he switched on the comm unit in his helmet on.
"GRYPHON 1 YOU ARE OFF COURSE REVERT IMMEDIATELY." calmly said the co-pilot as he prepared to wait for an answer.
"NEGATIVE WE HAVE READINGS SHOWING UP ON RADAR AND WE ARE CHECKING IT OUT." Replied the lead aircraft still turning.
"THAT'S NOT OUR JOB WE CAN SEND A RECON UNIT." Retorted the wingpony.
"WHY MAKE THEM WASTE THE FUEL WHEN WE ARE ALREADY HERE? BESIDES ITS NOT LIKE WE GOT ANYTHING BETTER TO DO, THE EVERFREE PATROLS HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN 3 YEARS, AND THAT'S WHEN THEY WERE ESTABLISHED." Answered the aircraft accelerating even more
"fucking idiots." murmured the pilot as he turned to join the lead aircraft.
The two F-22s continued toward the unidentified reading's coordinates as the the wingponies sat in silence listening to the lead aircraft's crew speculating what it could be and if they were serving corn today at the barracks over the radio.
"When we get back to base don't think I'm not reporting this." Said the Pilot breaking the silence.
"I would do the same sir." replied the co-pilot
"Sometimes I wonder how these guys could have possibly slipped through the cracks of the academ--" The pilot was cut short by a sharp and persistent beeping on the control panel and a fluorescent warning light.
"CONTACTS" Yelled the pilot as a missile impacted the lead aircraft sending it down in flames and shrapnel, the magical thruster core having taken a direct hit.
"OH FUCK, GET US OUT OF HERE!" Shouted the co-pilot as he looked down at his radar to see 8 more blips heading for their F-22.
"Roger!" Loudly responded the pilot as the aircraft took a sharp right. "Deploy Flares!" Ordered the pilot
"Aye, Flares away!" Answered the co-pilot in a frenzy as bright blinding red flares were ejected from the aircraft.
3 projectiles went to chase the false targets but the other 5 still gaining on the lone F-22. The crew started to recollect their training as afterburners were engaged pushing the the two pegasi into the back of their seats. The Aircraft kept dramatically increasing in speed until a massive VWWOOOMM-BOOOOM echoed through the sky as the F-22 Raptor broke the sound barrier.
One of the missiles fell behind from the sudden burst of speed and losing its target disengaged and fell from the sky while the others managing to somehow keep up.
"Get us behind the missiles for at least just a second! Those things are not going to drop off anytime soon!" shouted the co-pilot as he prepped the fighters weaponry
"Ill try but no promises!" Responded the pilot as he gripped the handles harder.
The plane took a sharp dive toward the ground then proceeded to go upside down as the crew stared up to see the unforgiving forest below. And just as fast as the aircraft dove it rose up again behind the missiles. Flipping off the safety case on the firing mechanism the co-pilot opened fire. As the Raptors M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm cannon pounded away the missiles started to veer off to get behind the aircraft again. As one of the 20 mm rounds impacted the fuel compartment of one of the missiles it detonated into a fiery ball into which the aircraft flew. The Thermal insulation of the cockpit protecting the ponies inside but still blocking their view of the other 3 projectiles.
Despite the blinding of the crew the vulcans computer automated laser guidance system found another target. When the fire cleared the missiles were yet again behind the F-22 but only two remained.
"Fucking hell what will it take to ditch these things!?" Yelled the co-pilot up to the front of the plane.
"Hell i don't kno---" The pilot was once again stopped by the sight of one of the missiles on radar getting ready to strike the plane.
"DO A BARREL ROLL!" Yelled the co-pilot also noticing the projectile nearing.
The Aircraft started to spin with the wings doing circles around the center of the aircraft as the missile closed in. The missile barely missing its target as it scratched pass the glass of the cockpit. The missile, now in front of the aircraft and in the sights of the vulcan cannon. As the cannon shredded the missile the aircraft was ready for, and able to avoid the cloud of fire that followed.
"OK one left how we going to do this?" Questioned the co-pilot.
"Oh I have an idea... Think we are going to a get a promotion for this?"
"Hell, we certainly won't be wingponies anymore!" Replied the co pilot joyfully
"Ok lets do this!" Responded the pilot equally as enthusiastic.
The Plane shot upward its nose jutting towards the sky as the missile followed its vertical path. The Engines started to struggle to maintain the Raptors speed as it shot upward at mach speed with the missile equally struggling to maintain flight. A warning started to flash over the control panel with a electrical voice repeating the same words over and over again "Stall Imminent".
"Sir we are going to stall!" Panicked the co-pilot.
"Do you think I didn't realize that? And don't worry the missile will stall out first, hopefully." Reassured the pilot
"Oh hopefully, that makes me feel better!"
The Plane continued its suicidal journey to the heavens with the missile close behind. Now both airborne craft were starting to feel the power of gravity as they climbed into the atmosphere.
"C'mon baby don't die on us." Murmured the pilot in the heat of his concentration.
"Talking to the machine won't help us." Said the co-pilot hearing the pilot over the comm unit.
As he said that the the aircraft shook and creaked as it started to lose speed even faster.
"See what you've done now, you've gone and hurt its feelings!"
"Oh oh sorry plane, good F-22, don't let us die!" Said the co-pilot correcting himself.
After 2 more minutes of the nerve racking flight the missile finally gave in to gravity as it disengaged and fell back to Equestria. With the sight of the last explosive falling the crew let out a cheer as the aircraft went horizontal again and started to descend.
"It really takes near death to appreciate life to the fullest doesn't it?" Said the co-pilot as he started to relax in his chair.
"Or a view like this." Said the pilot looking over the everfree from their high perch in the sky.
"Well no more being wingponies for us right buddy!" Said the Pilot breaking his stare from the horizon.
"You betcha, but it was unfortunate that those two had to die, they were idiots but they didn't deserve to die." Said the co-pilot referring to the two pony crew of the lead F-22.
"No pony really deserves to die." Responded the pilot solemnly.
"Yea I guess, do you think we will have enough fuel to return to base, those afterburners really went thou--" The co-pilot was silenced by the impact of a very uninvited missile on the the side of the aircraft.
The explosion rocked the aircraft as one of its wings tore off from the body and the plane started to enter a death spiral of fiery demise.
"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM!?" Shouted the pilot as he quickly considered his options.
Not getting a response the pilot looked back to see that the impact had knocked his co-pilot out and now his limp body lay on the dashboard blood seeping from his helmet.
"Oh Fuck! It is not a good day!" Said the pilot as he leaned back and unbuckled the co-pilot from the aircraft.
Doing the same with himself he then went to kick the cockpit's protecting glass out with his hind legs. After 4 good kicks a bolt came out and the glass fell away from the aircraft. Leaning back again the pilot clenched the rear ejection cord, then his own.
"Off we go!" Shouted the pilot as he pulled the cords jettisoning him and the co-pilot into the cold sky.
On ejection the co-pilot and his pilot were separated when the pilot was struck by a falling piece of metal stunning him as he started to plummet. Regaining his senses he spread his wings and slowed himself until he was in a balanced hover. Looking down he could see his comrade still unconscious and plummeting toward the hard ground.
"Ugh why can't this be easier!" Complained the pilot as he went into a sharp dive in an attempt to save his friend.
Gaining speed as well as air resistance the experienced flyer shot down like a bullet to the aid of his co-pilot. The wind hitting his face and making his eyes water as he came closer and closer to the ground. Streamlining his wings the pilot picked up ever more speed as he neared the co-pilot. dangerously close to the ground now the pilot pushed himself to his limit as he rocketed downward grabbing onto the co-pilot.
With only 500 meters between them and the ground the pilot extended his wings in an attempt to slow their descent as they came closer and closer to the forest floor. The Air resistance was so intense that it threatened to tear the pilots wings clean off as they dragged through the unforgiving air. They were a 100 meters away, then 50, then 25.
The crew tore through the branches as they came to the end of their descent. there was a sickening cracking as a branch collided with the pilot's wing sending it into a disjointed formation. Leaves and twigs scratching in their faces as they passed through the canopy and fell toward the ground impacting in a splotch of mud, the faint explosion of their crippled aircraft meeting the ground in the background.
"That wasn't that bad was it?" Said the pilot accompanied with a grunt of pain as he got up.
Still not getting a response the pilot dragged his comrade out of the mud and onto a soft piece of dirt where he removed both his and the co-pilots helmet. Seeing the gash in the co-pilots head he ripped part of his uniform and fashioned a bandage and proceeded to wrap the wound.
"You not dying today friend you hear me? You hear me!?" Said the pilot losing his calm as he started to realize the seriousness of the injury.
"Stop wasting your time on me, tend to yourself." Coughed the co-pilot regaining consciousness blood dripping from his mouth.
"Your life is just as important as mine and i'm not as hurt as you!" Returned the pilot
"I'm not going to make it Phoenix, and you are hurt." Said the co-pilot pointing at the large gash in the pilots side.
Phoenix hadn't noticed the wound because of a combination of adrenaline and a concern for his partners safety. Seeing the injury sent a bolt of pain up his body as the his nerves started to receive pain once again.
"Its just a flesh wound, you need the help more." Said Phoenix tightening the bandage.
"Bandage yourself first then." replied the co-pilot his voice getting fainter.
"Ill do it if you promise me you will hang in there." Bargained the pilot.
"Sir, I don't make promises that I cant keep" Weakly responded the co-pilot.
"WELL YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE UP!" Shouted Phoenix at the dying airpony with the fear of losing his friend and being alone in the everfree getting to him.
"Everypony dies Phoenix, you know that." Said the co-pilot his voice getting harder to hear.
"Yea but this is too soon dammit!" Said Phoenix panicking as he sat, watching his friend die in front of him.
"We were the best damn wingponies in Equestria weren't we." Said the co-pilot struggling to get out the words.
"Yea we were, we still are buddy, always remember that." Said Phoenix starting to tear up.
"I.... I... I will" Said the co-pilot barely audibly as he smiled and closed his eyes.
The pilot sat in shock and disbelief as his friend toke his final breath. Phoenix sat there now not wanting to believe that his best friend was gone, that it was just one big bad dream, that it will all be better in the morning. Unfortunately he didn't wake up instead reality hit him like a freight train. His best friend was dead, he was lost in the middle of the everfree, he was wounded and he had no way of calling for help besides a flare gun, and there was no pony around to see it.
As the pilot got to his hooves he leaned down and tore the co-pilots dog tags off his neck that read "Sergeant Crosswind 334582". He sat there staring at it for a good 5 minutes before he spoke to the darkness of the forest.
"Ill find those bastards that did this buddy, Ill find them." Promised the pilot as he slipped the dog tags into his pocket
Then the pilot went to take the Sergeants sidearm ammunition and flare gun supplies as respectfully as possible. Phoenix got up and paused before heading north into the abyss of a forest... The airpony trudged through the forest following the needle of his compass with his sidearm drawn. He was bleeding but not badly, he had a splitting headache but nothing that would cripple his advance, and he had a broken wing which didn't hurt as much as it should have but it still limited his movement.
After about 2 hours of traveling a roar shook the forest as a lion/eagle/scorpion abomination came out of the shrubs just 10 meters from the injured pilot. Taking aim at the creatures head the soldier prepared to fire but waited to see if it was necessary. The creature and the pilot kept looking at each other, frozen in time until that beast took the first move by taking flight and gliding toward the pilot its mouth open in preparation to tear him apart. The pilot was about to open fire when he twitched from the pain in his side sending the bullet into the creatures knee instead of the intended target, the head. The animal, responding to the pain aimed upward to gain some altitude colliding with the pilot and knocking him to the ground and his sidearm into the darkness of the forest.
Getting to his hooves he looked up to see the manticore had turned around and was preparing to dive at the airmen. Phoenix knew he didn't have the energy to get out of its way and the beast knew that too as it plunged downward toward the stunned pilot. wrestling with his vest the pilot tried to find a weapon or any form of defense from the manticore as it plummeted ever closer. Now literally tearing out the contents of his vest the pilot panicked as the manticore still gaining speed closed in on its prey.
When the manticore was only 20 meters away Phoenix opened the last compartment of his vest drawing his flare gun and fired the single shot loaded. The flare combusted in air as the projectile soared through the musky damp forest at the beast. The animal's pupil shrinking as it anticipated what would follow. As the flare impacted the manticore its fur ignited into a blaze of intense heat and pain. The thing then impacted the ground with a loud thud , accompanied by the creatures cries of agony as it slowly burned to death.
The pilot looked away not wanting to see what he had caused, instead he busied himself trying to find his weapon and collecting his supplies that were thrown about in his frenzy. upon finding his sidearm he set off north again leaving the manticore to die alone.
After another hour of walking the pilot heard the glorious sound of helicopter overhead. Using his last ounce of strength the determined pilot climbed up the nearest tree to get above the canopy. reaching a high limb he looked over the tree cover as he raised his hoof and fired the flare gun into the sky.