(I'm back from my year-long hiatus. I apologize for this long delay. Writer's block is a pain. But now I can write again. Enjoy the new chapter.)
A couple of days went by and the town of Frankville seemed to be starting back up again. With some exceptions, citizens of Frankville have gotten what they needed to keep going and to keep their businesses flowing, despite that printed money is scarce in the town.
Twilight on the other hand, became very influent with the history of the humans world, especially the United States of America, a nation born with ideals for Liberty and Freedom from tyranny as well as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But the country did went through hard times when the Far-Left wing group called 'Progressives' came during the late 20th Century and 21st Century and tried to distort the foundation of America with lies and twisted version of the history in attempt to demonize America as a 'Racist nation' and put it down for good.
Fortunally many Conservative groups stood up for America and its foundation in order to protect it and keep it to its Glory and an inspiration around the world. Even one man who goes by Thomas Anderson who created the Liberty Party as well as instituted the 'Anderson Act' which protects America's history from distortion as well as making what they call it 'Political Correctness' illegal in the United States and anyone caught trying to disturb the peace were to be arrested and sentence to prison, but it also allowed the ones who didn't like America to leave to other countries weeks before the act went into effect. He also instituted the 'Green Act' which eliminated the nation's dependence on oil and nuclear energy and instead created the 'Green Bio-Fuel' which is converted from garbage and became the number one item on the world market which lifted America's economy in 2012-13.
The Purple Unicorn was astonished for what the nation has accomplished as well as the world but also saddens from dark events that took place on their earth during history, especially during World War II. She has stacks of papers she written all what she learned from the history books as well as going through three or four bottles of ink and several quill pens.
"Whew, that was a lot more than I expected." Twilight exclaimed as she set the quill pen down in the ink bottle.
"Who knew the humans have a lot of history of their kind."
"You said it." Spike replied. "Aren't we meeting the others at Sugar Cube Corner?"
"Oh right." Twilight exclaimed as she sat back up. She almost forgot about it. Plus she needed a break after studying human history.
"Let's get going Spike." She said cheerfully as she and the purple baby dragon headed out the door.
After Twilight and Spike arrived at Sugarcube Corner and have met Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, who is dozing off.
"Did you read the book overnight again Rainbow?" Twilight asked.
"It…It was a good….book." Rainbow yawned. Twilight shook her head.
"So what's new with you Twilight?" Rarity asked.
"I've learned a lot from human history." Twilight replied with excitement. "It was very long too. But it was bloody too with conflicts with each other."
"Whoa, that's sounds dark." Applejack commented.
"Indeed. Not to mention what America has gone through during the early 21st century." And she told the others what she has learned.
The others nodded.
"So….Anything from the humans?" Rarity asked.
"I heard that General Campbell is allowing us to take a tour around their air base." This however got Rainbow Dash's attention. She read about it in the books as it was mentioned many times as well as seeing the helicopters in Fort David.
"Really? When are we going there?" Rainbow asked.
"He said we'll be there this afternoon." Twilight answered.
"That's awesome." Dash exclaimed.
"Ah guess that was the cure of your sleepiness." Applejack chuckled.
"This will also give me more opportunity to study their aircraft up close and personal." Twilight said.
General Campbell sat in his chair at his desk. Things are going smoothly. The town of Frankville has managed to not only get its Green Fuel factory to keep supply for the town, but for Fort David and Fort Ripper. It wasn't an easy task, but they managed to pull it off. He read the report that the ponies were to be given a tour around the Air Base as they have with Fort David and the town. But of course it wouldn't kill him to have the tour around the base. A knock on the door is heard, Campbell says the door's open and entered LT Rick Mitchell, one of the best US Air Force pilots in Fort Ripper. Codename "Cobra", his reputation is great among the base and he made it as 'Top Flyer' of the base.
"You want to see me sir?" Mitchell said after he saluted him.
"Yes LT Mitchell, you're to given the tour to the visitors from Ponyville." Campbell replied.
"This ought to be interesting." Mitchell said to himself.
"Make sure they're as comfortable as possible."
"Will do." They both saluted and Mitchell leaves.
Twilight and her friends just arrived at the security gate in front of Fort Ripper. The guard recognized them when Twilight sees them and notified the base commander before letting them inside. A few minutes later Mitchell arrives.
"You must be Twilight Sparkle." Mitchell said as he greets them. "The names Lieutenant Richard Mitchell and I will be your tour guide here today."
"Alright!" Raindow Dash said with excitement.
They headed for the air field and the hangers where the planes are stored. The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor are the fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter jets developed for the United States Air Force. The result of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter program, the aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but also has ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence capabilities. The prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, built most of the F-22's airframe and weapons systems and did its final assembly, while Boeing provided the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.
"Amazing!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Woo Wee! That's very interesting." Applejack added.
"I bet they're not as fast as me!" Rainbow Dash boasted. Twilight rolled her eyes.
The next planes shown are the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II's that are single seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force. Commonly referred to by its nicknames "Warthog" or "Hog". The A-10 was designed for close-in support of ground troops, close air support (CAS), providing quick-action support for troops against helicopters, vehicles, and ground troops. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the USAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller - airborne (FAC-A) support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10.
With them are several F-15s and F-16s fighter jets, older version of the fighter jets but still in great condition. As well as the Hercules cargo planes, Huey and Apache helicopters that are stationed there.
The CV-22 Osprey are American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircrafts with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.
Then they came across an larger airplane. It was like the C-130 Hercules but it has guns on the side. The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of anti-ground oriented weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Because its large profile and low operating altitudes (around 7,000 ft) make it an easy target, it usually flies close air support missions at night.
The ponies stared in awe of the flying machines the humans possess, especially Twilight. However she noticed a picture on the side of the massive gunship. It was a picture of a female human with hazelnut hair that reaches all the way down to her lower back, her eyes are the same color as her hair, dressed in a white/red battle outfit with the red skirt. She is sitting in a pose, armed what appears to be a Rapier sword in her hands, the name is seen painted below her. She takes a closer look at it and it reads Asuna on the bottom.
Twilight is curious on the picture as she and the others, have seen it on several planes and helicopters such as one of the F-22 jets have one with a female human with paper-white skin, sea-green hair, eyes, top, miniskirt and boots. She is shown what appears to be flying like Rainbow Dash only she doesn't have wings. The name on the bottom of that reads Jenny XJ-9.
"And of course there were at least 37 totals of them made in three versions. And of course with the American economy doing greater than before, more of them are made." Mitchell continued.
"How many more did you have so far?" Twilight asks.
"Hmmm…I believe we have about 50 or so." He answers. "But they're set in the reserves."
"Why would y'all do that?" Applejack asked with her head tilted sideways in confusion.
"To not only save money but to keep them in case the current ones gets destroyed."
They nodded in understanding.
"Wonder if they'll show us a demonstration for these flying machines?" Rarity asked.
"I think so. I'll check." Mitchell said before taking the radio comlink and speaking into it.
Two minutes later….
"The commander says there's one in a few minutes, you'll be able to watch them in action." Mitchell says at last.
"Neat!" Twilight said gleefully.
Richard Mitchell, Twilight and the others sat from one of the hangers as three F-15 eagle jets taxied out of the hanger doors and onto the runway.
"This is so exciting. We get to see them fly and who know what else!" Pinkie Pie hopped with pure excitement.
"Umm…Yeah it is.." Fluttershy said softly.
The ponies watched as the jets begin to take off. They executed maximum performance takeoffs, shooting straight up into their air as they left the runway. They exclaimed in awe as the jets do twists and loops. The jets also executed barrel rolls.
"Incredible." Twilight exclaimed.
"That's sum flyin' a'right." Applejack commented.
"Ppphhhtt! I can fly faster than that." Rainbow Dash scoffed. The others just glared at her for the rude comment. "What? You know I'm the fastest in Equestria."
"They're goin' as fast as they can Rainbow." Applejack said.
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes.
The jets did a fly-by above them, the sonic sound of jets were heard as they flew above them. The noise frightens Fluttershy as she curled up into a ball after making a squeak.
The jets continued to climb up high into the sky and are prepared to make another loop when suddenly, one of the jets starts to stray away from the others.
"Hey, what's going on?" Twilight asked as they saw the jet plane swaying away.
"Not sure, I don't think he's supposed to do that." Mitchell said before turning to the comlink again.
"One of the plane's engines is malfunctioning and is trying to control it long enough for an emergency landing." Mitchell finally said.
"Oh my.." Fluttershy stated.
"That's can't be good." Applejack added.
Then the comlink squawked again as they plane starts to spin out of control.
"He's losing control and the ejection seat won't respond." Mitchell said.
The ponies gasped as they see the plane continue to spiral out of control.
"I'll save them!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she spread her wings and took off towards the jet plane at top speed. However she overshot the plane but manages to dive back down towards it and lands on top of the cockpit and tries to open the canopy.
"How the hay can you open this thing?!" Rainbow shouted as she struggles to find a way to open it. Then she sees what appears to be the latch and she twists it open and the canopy comes off.
"Come on! I'm getting you outta here!" She shouted as she grabs one of the pilots by the belt with her teeth while the other one grabbed onto her forelegs and managed to get them out of the plane. However the plane continues to spin out of control and it's heading right towards the ground where her friends are at.
"It's heading right for us!" Mitchell shouted as he and the ponies begin to scatter away, Applejack manages to pick up Fluttershy and carry her on her back. Twilight on the other hand, stood up and aimed her horn at the falling F-15. Her horn emits a purple glow as well as her eyes lit up. The unicorn's magic suddenly elopes the jet plane, bringing it down gently and slowly. She struggles to concentrating of slowing down the flying machine and sure enough, the plane was set down on the ground gently and the jet engines were shut off when it touched the grass. Twilight saved everyone from a plane disaster.
"You did it Twilight!" Pinkie shouted as the others ran towards her.
"Twilight saved all of us!" Rarity said as Rainbow Dash gently landed with the two pilots.
"I also save them too." Rainbow said.
"Yes you did Rainbow." Mitchell said. "Never knew you were this brave."
"When somepony's in trouble, you know who to call." She said while puffing her chest with pride. The emergency vehicles arrived and check the pilots and then the jet plane. Mitchell told them what have happened and how Rainbow Dash and Twilight saved them and the plane.
"It was nothing really." Rainbow said while flapping her wings. They see the two planes that are still up in the air and landed back down on the runway. They brought the crippled plane back to the hanger.
"Well….despite the malfunction, what do you think?" Mitchell asked.
"They're amazing." Twilight answers.
"They were so cool!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I mean they're all like 'vvrrrooooommm!' and then 'eeeennnyyyyaaa!' and then…"
"Yeah, we all saw that Pinkie." Applejack interrupted her. Pinkie just grinned.
"As long as no one got hurt, we're good." Mitchell said. "Shall we continue?"
"Oh yes please do." Twilight said as he lead the others to the main building.
"Next time we're here, I can show them my flying skills some more." Rainbow Dash said.
"Right, next time Rainbow." Twilight rolled her eyes as they followed Mitchell.