Air Horse Aces 2: Red Glare,
Where Metal is Red Hot!
Well well well. Look it what we have here. A sequel to Air Horse Aces? Yup. Get your wings ready. Because I'll try to make this story more better than the first one.
I recommend reading the prequel first.
BTW, that drawing of the cover, I didn't really need to put too much effort since it'll only be that big.
(NOTE: Twilight is a Princess in this one!)
ANOTHER NOTE: Errors may be seen because of autocorrect. My apologies.
(Prologue): Calm Before The Storm.
It can happen anytime…
*Seventeen Years Ago*
"Sir."
A stallion in a desk looked back at the one calling him. It was a mare unicorn in an Equestrian Military outfit. She held a piece of paper with her magic and handed it to the stallion. He raised his eyebrow while his eyes scanned the paper like a surveyor. He chuckled at the paper because it was a letter from his son.
"Chinook is really excited about the meteor shower, isn't he?" He smiled.
"Seems like it." The mare laughed.
The stallion got off his seat and headed out the door. "Well, I'll be heading to him right now. I'll be back soon after tonight. Since my son wants to watch the meteor shower with me along with his daughter, I can't say no to that. Spending time with my family."
"That's nice of you. I will soon spend some time with my baby as well soon." She smiled lightly and touched her belly with her hoof.
The stallion smiled. "You know, you want to come with us? Since you're…you know, pregnant, you need to take a break." He suggested.
"Captain Ablate, you don't need to worry about me." She said.
"Nonsense." He patted her back. "Lieutenant Chime, this is an order. Just take a break and spend some time with my family."
Chime smiled and finally accepted it. "You're too kind, sir."
Ablate grabbed his keys and opened the door. Both of them made their way to the outside where everypony was relaxing and staring at he sky, waiting for the meteor shower. Some ponies went to their homes to get some time with their families. That's what Ablate was going to do. They hoped on a carriage and told the pegasi in the front where to go. They saluted and followed his course. It was almost the end of the sunset as the sky started to turn more darker than purple and the orange light started to fade away.
The Town of Fraxinus, a very peaceful place in the northeast of Equestria, just a bit more further north of Manehattan. Also, it's just five miles away from the beach. This town was also known as Mini Las Pegasus because of the exotic structures and fancy lights it shines at night. Paradise for all, where you can enjoy the sun and refreshing nights.
Ablate looked around in the hills and saw almost everypony settling down and getting their cameras ready for some stunning view of the meteor shower. Pegasi ponies even stayed in the air and clouds to get another view just in case it was too crowded. Fillies and colts played around the place as their parents watched and smiled happily. It takes him back to the days when he was taking care of Chinook.
"Father!" A male stallion's call was heard from Ablate's left.
"Grandpa!" A young filly's call was heard after.
He turned his head and saw the two he obviously knows who called him. His son, Chinook and his grandfoal, Maelstrom.
"There you two are." Ablate laughed and hugged his son and his granddaughter.
"Aunt Chime!" Maelstrom called and ran to Chime to hug her foreleg.
"Good evening, Maelstrom." Chime petted her head. "Are you excited for the meteor shower?"
She nodded. "Mm hmm. But, we're not going to get hit by the meteors, right?" She asked worriedly.
Chime chuckled at her thoughts. "No stromy. These meteors past by our planet every two years. The only chance the meteors will hit us is when somepony had control over it like a carriage. Which is impossible."
Ablate got in the explanation as well. "Even if a meteor hits another meteor, it won't do much affect. One hasn't hit us ever since the beginning."
"O-okay…" Maelstrom smiled.
Chinook picked up Maelstrom and put her on his back. "Come on, honey. You'll get a better view than staying on your hooves."
"I'll grow taller. Don't worry." She laid her chin on his head. Her snow white mane with aqua streaks blew freely because of the wind.
"Everypony! Look!" A pony called out while pointing up into the sky.
By everypony's reaction, they all looked up and saw three shooting stars happen at the same time. After the three disappeared, suddenly, five more showed up and glowed up almost the entire sky. Not until what happened next. More shooting stars showed up with three times more than the second wave. All young foals sighed in amazement as they tried to get a better view. Their parents carried them off their hooves and got them up like what Chinook was doing to Maelstrom.
As the many 'miniature suns' passed by the skies, Chime smiled while putting her hoof on her stomach. Saying that one day her foal will watch the meteor shower with his/her mother. Ablate smiled on how warming it felt on seeing her so close to her unborn foal. Then he looked at his son and granddaughter as they watched the meteor shower in amazement. Maelstrom was making comments or asking questions to her father, Chinook.
"So… pretty." Maelstrom sighed.
"No argument here." Chinook chuckled.
"Daddy. One day…I want to watch the…meteor shower closer to the sky." Maelstrom said while flapping her young wings.
"I'm sure you will, hun." Chinook patted his daughter's head. "One day, it will happen."
*Seventeen years later. One month after Air Horse Aces.*
Location: High North of the world, Northeast of the Union of Changnia.
Objective: Prizrak Rebels delivering Gemstones for unknown reasons must be prevented. Quick reaction must be sent to put it to halt.
Operators: Equestrian Royal Air Force's Wingstalkers Elite Group.
Participating Squadrons: Arion and Cipher Squadron.
"Arion 1 to all units. Radio check." A familiar voice of a certain pilot was heard.
"Cipher 1 acknowledges." A pilot from The Wingstalkers Elite Group, which was the same as Arion 1.
"So, what are we here for?" A voice of a mare was heard on the comms.
"Did you forget your orders already Rainbow Dash? We're stopping a few nut jobs to stop delivering gemstones for the Prizraks."
"I know that, HandyFlash. I was just…nevermind." Arion 2, Rainbow Dash groaned.
"Hey Dash, you're lucky this will be pretty quick. Just do what you always do." Thunderlane, Arion 4 told her.
"Yes yes. I know that." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
As the two squadrons approached the red zone, they all kept their eyes peeled for any activity from the ground and perhaps the air. There have been reports of drones being used by the Prizrak Rebels after Razor Whisk was defeated. The Prizraks wanted to stop the supplies because they want to use it for their own. The Equestrian Royal Air Force decided to step on in to stop one smuggling activity. Neon Nimbus, General of the entire Equestrian Royal Air Force chose one of her best pilots on this mission. Arion Squadron, aka The Wing Feathers of Celestia and Luna, were chosen. Cipher Squadron was there to assist just in case of heavy resistance.
One thing different about Arion Squadron was, they were in different aircrafts. What happened to their original ones was they were severely damaged after the Sunspot Weapon incident in Canterlot one month ago. Their own aircrafts are getting repairs at this time. But it was told it will take a few months to get them up and running again.
HandyFlash cleared his throat. "Arion Leader to Cipher Leader, I got a few bogeys on radar. Most likely to be drones from Prizrak Rebs."
"Roger. I see them. I got heat signatures on the ground, moving fast. Looks like our target. Also being heavily escorted." Cipher Leader said.
"Alright. Captain, take care of the target and it's escorts on the ground. My team will take the drones down." HandyFlash said.
"Copy that. Cipher Team, follow me in." Cipher Leader said.
"Cipher 10 acknowledges."
As Cipher Squadron was going down to attack the escorts, Arion squadron was still in the air.
"Arions, cleared to engage." HandyFlash smirked.
"I'm gonna love this." Cloudchaser, Arion 9 said.
"I got your back." Flitter, Arion 8 told her.
"Me too." Derpy, Arion 6 added.
Dumbbell, Arion 7 looked at Thunderlane's plane and smirked. "Hey Arion 4. Looking to impress your sweetheart?" He was talking about Blossomforth, Arion 5.
"Aw put a sock in it." Thunderlane rolled his eyes.
"You assume we like each other." Blossomforth said while fixing her plane.
"To be honest, I think you both do." Fluttershy, Arion 3 was heard on the comms. Her plane was next to Rainbow Dash's and HandyFlash's.
"Arions, we can talk later. Focus on taking these bugs down." HandyFlash reminded them.
"Now you're talking." Rainbow Dash launched her missiles.
"Let's put these dogs on their leash." Thunderlane engaged.
"Launching missile." HandyFlash spoke when he fired a heat-seeking missile towards one target. A direct hit in the front intake as it bursted out flames going down to the ground. "Splashed one bandit."
The downed drone crashed next to the smuggling convoy, which got their attention and wonder what happened to the shot down drone. A passenger spotted nine planes pass by their position. It seems like he spotted Arion Squadron instead of Cipher Squadron first. How did the passenger know it was them? It was because of the emblems on their tail. Even though it was a bit far to see, he still could recognize the traits.
"Boss! It's those Wing Feathers!" One of the smugglers said.
"Well, what're you waiting for?! Tell our escorts to fire! I don't want their hooves on these gemstones!"
"Let's see if the rumors about them are all true. Fire at will!"
Thunderlane looked down from his plane and saw rounds glowing, that were heading straight for them. "Looks like they're focusing their fire on us."
HandyFlash nodded. "Good. It'll reduce the damage Cipher Squadron will receive. Arions, continue to engage. Give them all you got."
"I got your six HF." Rainbow Dash stayed near his tail.
"Arion 3 engaging." Fluttershy said as she turned towards a drone breaking left. A few burst of rounds hit her target, but it still remained active.
"Fluttershy, one bandit on your six. Leave him to me." Flitter called out and broke towards her hostile tail. "I got tone. Fox 2." She said and fired a heat-seeking missile, but resulted a miss because of the drone's flare countermeasures. "Missed target. Guns guns." Flitter turned her attack into a hail storm of cannon rounds at her target. The wings were full of holes and the drone caught on fire, then finally crashed.
Cloudchaser smirked. "Bandit confirmed destroyed by Arion 8."
"Niiice." Derpy giggled.
HandyFlash looked in front of his plane and saw two drones in front if him. He contacted Rainbow Dash, who was still defending his tail. "Arion 2, take out one hostile."
"Affirmative. I got the one of the left. He's going to be scrap metal now." Rainbow Dash pursued one as it separated away from the other. This gave HandyFlash a good time to attack this bandit.
"This feather will dance with you now, rusty." HandyFlash fired a missile and struck it once, clipping its tail as it shook around out of control. "Launch! Launch!" He fired another one and sent the drone flying in pieces.
"Today's weather is Hot Metal Rain, all because of Arion 1." Rainbow Dash joked and fired her cannon at her target.
"General, can you believe that?" Blossomforth asked their boss.
"I believe in your miracles, if that's what you're asking." Neon Nimbus, General of the Equestrian Royal Air Force. Young and beautiful born leader, but dangerous in the air and ground.
Dumbbell chuckled. "Glad to hear it." Suddenly, he felt his plane shake by cannon rounds impacting the back. He looked behind him and saw two drones behind his tail. "Two bandits on my tail. Requesting support?"
"Okay dokey. Arion 6 inbound." Derpy pulled up and popped out of nowhere from Dumbbell's perspective. "Launching missile!" She fired a heat seeker on one of the drones. A direct hit on her target, but the other drone reacted by breaking left out of her sight. "Dumbbell, bandit heading near your port side, left side!"
"I got visual. Dumping speed." He said and broke left just like the drone. Since his airspeed was reduced, the drone went a bit more faster until he had visual on its tail. Now it's chained up to stay on target. "Fox 1." Dumbbell fired a semi active missile instead of a heat seeker. Staying on its tail, he saw the explosion turn the drone into red hot shredded metal. He went past the flames and cheered. "WAAHOOO!"
"Somepony is having fun." Rainbow Dash laughed.
"I would have more fun if I was in my old plane." He shrugged.
"Least these planes are maneuverable." Blossomforth did a cobra-sharp Immelman turn to face her back and fired her cannons on her pursuer. Confirmed kill. "See?"
"Three more drones on radar. Let's make these fireflies stop flashing on the screen." HandyFlash said.
Rainbow Dash chuckled and gave a challenge to HandyFlash. "Yo Squad Leader? How about you try to take them out by yourselves?"
"Is that a challenge?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Yup." She answered.
HandyFlash breathed in deeply and put his game face on. "Challenge accepted." He pulled up and saw one of the drones after Derpy. He banked left and pulled the stick to turn left. Then he turned the opposite way and was now heading towards Derpy from the front. He fired a missile heading for Derpy's pursuer. It managed to pass by her plane and hit her chaser.
"That was too close." Derpy exhaled.
The second one was still in the air. It pulled up, but HandyFlash did a sharp cobra and splashed his cannon rounds on it. The drone luckily landed in front of the Prizrak convoy, blocking the path to their destination.
"They're still. Run them down!" Cipher 1 told his team.
"Final drone, Colonel. Make it count." Neon Nimbus told him.
HandyFlash agreed on that and followed the drone's tail. Evading every round heading towards it, he still managed to stay on target. It dived down towards the ground towards the convoy to let him get hit by the ground fire. But Cipher Squadron was beginning their gun run and let it rain. As the convoy was as lit as napalm on the ground, Cipher and HandyFlash with his target were head on.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Cipher finished his strafe run and pulled up when HandyFlash and his target went pass under him as the flames rose from the convoy. "Jeez. Colonel, you're crazy."
"Our unit is supposed to be crazy." HandyFlash laughed and focused on the drone. One missile fired, hit directly on the engine as the fuel lit up the entire drone. "Bandit destroyed." He leveled his aircraft as his Arion Squadron went in formation with him.
"Our ace never disappoints us with his moves." Fluttershy smiled about her comment.
"A true leader, almost unstoppable, and has the guts. Just like when we got Razor Whisk a month ago." Thunderlane said.
HandyFlash nodded and turned on his comms. "Radar is all clean. No sign of bogeys or fireflies. Looks like we got them all." HandyFlash smiled proudly by their hard work. "Yo Cap Ciph, everything good."
"Cipher 1 here, targets are nothing but dust. Objective fulfilled." Cipher Leader told them.
"Neon Nimbus to all units. Objective accomplished! Radar is confirmed clear as a new pair of glasses." Neon Nimbus chuckled to herself and corrected her glasses as well. "All planes, you're cleared to return to base. The UOC Spetslos can handle the ground."
Thunderlane sighed and realized something. He contacted HandyFlash. "That reminds me. Hey Flash? You ready to get back on training?"
"I sure am. But I can't believe I'm teaching you and Dumbbell. Not that I hate it or anything." HandyFlash replied.
"What are you three doing again?" Fluttershy asked.
"The three of them are training in the Special Wing Service. Well, HandyFlash is going to help with the teaching." Rainbow Dash answered her question.
Flitter sighed. "Which means they can fight in the air and on the ground."
The Special Wing Service is a special operations elite group in the Equestrian Royal Air Force branch that was created a few months ago. Only ponies that have the courage and strength could pass through the intense training of up to twelve months! It is said to be more intense and longer than the Equestrian Special Operations Force, Celestial Rangers/Lunar Nomads. One member of the S.W.S is already a weapon after completing training. Everything he/she hold is only a tool, like a M1L or other various weapons. One thing that everypony should know is they can be anywhere from your surroundings. Before you can even commit a crime, they can stop you in just one move of you muscles. Only SOME military personnel know who are members of this force sent from the deep. Everything is classified to the public eye. Their missions, identities, and size. HandyFlash, Thunderlane, and Dumbbell are going into that kind of force.
HandyFlash was set for training ever since. But he's going with Thunderlane and Dumbbell when they go. Rainbow Dash was planning on trying it out. But she didn't think she would last long of intense training for twelve straight months. She also admitted she was a bit lazy.
"A true warrior most likely." Cloudchaser commented.
"Tomorrow, we should celebrate a good luck party for those three. I mean, they are leaving for training the day after tomorrow." Neon Nimbus suggested. She was a bit saddened by it because she won't be seeing those three for about a year. Plus, this time she won't train HandyFlash just like the last time when he was only a young colt. Military Pilot training was not that long, but one year?!
Neon Nimbus wasn't the only one sad about the fact. But all the others like Twilight and her friends as well. Including the six remaining Arion Squadron members. Rainbow Dash was ordered to take over Arion Squadron until HandyFlash returns.
HandyFlash smiled. "Don't worry. We'll be back when we're finished." He banked his plane, as well as the others, turned their direction back into Canterlot Air Base.
"What? No promise?" Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"Fine. Promise."
*Present Day. One year after Air Horse Aces.*
A brand new day has shined upon by Celestia's sun, warming the lands and everypony in all of Equestria. Clouds passing by as birds migrate from area to area to ponies travel around towns to their destination. It was your average day if you lived in one of the most peaceful nations in the world. Others like The Union of Changnia, Japony/Japen, Saddle-Arabia, Kingdom of Marey, and well known countries. But hidden within everypony, they are trying to forget about something. Was it about a nightmare they had last night? A stressful day? Or something is creeping up their neck? Here was the reason.
It took place a year ago. Canterlot was under attack by a stallion named Razor Whisk, called to be a terrorist by the Equestrian Military. As the air raid was happening, all friendly planes were shot down, leaving only Arion Squadron in the air. Luckily, they managed to shoot down all the drones and the known workers of Razor Whisk. But when he was the last target, he ascended into the clouds and dived down towards Canterlot. The Sunspot Weapon, his most prized key to ending the Equestrian Leaders and feared all of Equestrian citizens happened to be his own plane! Arion Squadron put themselves in harms way and stopped him just in time as the Sunspot Weapon exploded above Cnaterlot. Resulting no casualties, but injuries.
A year of peace has passed after one of the most horrifying and unforgettable events has happened in Equestrian History. It should end like this. But in case, everypony had to get ready for another threat just in case. The Equestrian Royal Air Force, known as the guardian angels are watching over them from the air. As well as the other branches.
Like what was said, A Brand New Day.
In the Ponyville Train Station, we see a group of familiar looking ponies waiting for the train. Not to get on it, but to wait for the certain three stallions who finally finished their training.
Since this is a prologue, let's stop right here. Can we?
(The reason why I released this in late January is because I didn't want to torture you guys if you were waiting for this sequel. Originally, the sequel was going to be released in June. So as of right now, I'm working on two stories at the same time. This…Air Horse Aces 2. And the other…RWBY: The Recidivist. NOTE: DON'T EXPECT ME TO UPDATE TOO QUICKLY. I GOT SCHOOL, THIS STORY, AND RWBY: "THE RECIDIVIST", WHICH IS ONGOING. Thank You.)
(Question of the Wings: "The Equestrian Royal Air Force just called, and they're asking if you want to fly again with us. Do you accept?" HandyFlash gave a challenging smirk.)
(Question of the Chapter: "I hope you got your wings ready and your jet to get back in the air. Are you?" Neon Nimbus asked.)
(NEW FEATURES IN THIS SEQUEL- All nations have their own Air Force, New nations to go, More advanced technology, Obviously new squadrons and teams or groups, Longer than the first Air Horse Aces, A new weapon, and a new enemy!)