My Little Airman pt 15 Free Falling

Part 15 Free Falling

 

 

>Every movement you make is filled with pain

>You could deal with the pain

>Broken bones, not so easily

>You were lucky that the only thing the griffons broke were a couple of your ribs

>How you managed running an entire night, you don't know

>Could've been the adrenaline, could've been sheer willpower

>You don't know, but you don't care, as you're pushed in a wheel chair

>The nurses have been rather nice to you

>They must still think of you as the hero of Ponyville

>There was a rather nicely, if inaccurate, record of your "rescue" mission

>They don't know about the failed Virtuous Mission

>No one in Equestria other than yourself, the princesses, and Shining Armor know

>The most anyone other than you four know is that allegedly a spy claiming to be from Equestria was sent to the Griffon Kingdom

>No one knows it was you

>No one knows how badly you fucked up, nor how you were tortured

>No one... except you four.

>And maybe one more...

>"How are you doing, Anon?"

Just fine nurse. Just thinking a little

>She nods

>"We're just about there, as you requested."

Good

>"Is there anything else you need? Maybe a sponge bath after you're done in there?"

>She smiles, and is that a slight blush?

>Huh. Funny. I wonder what that was about

No, thank you though. I don't think I'll need anything else

>She laughs. "Ok, well, here you are."

Thanks a lot

>You mean it.

>You try to get up...

>And succeed. If you weren't on the painkillers, you wouldn't have made it

>Waving away the nurse, you slowly walk into the operating theatre

>It was filled with unicorns

>At a guess, there were at least 100 there, with 300 seeming to be the better number

>Both princesses were there

>And so was Twilight Sparkle

>Princess Celestia spoke

>Shining Armor was absent. He must be doing something much more important

>Celestia and Twilight both wore looks of concern

>"Hello Anon, how are you feeling today?"

Better than yesterday Princess. Much better.

>"I'm glad to hear that."

>She then speaks to the crowd

>"I have asked all of you to come today, so that we may perform a spell that requires more magic than a single unicorn has.

More than both my sister and I have. My most faithful student Twilight Sparkle found this spell from an ancient tome. In essence, it brings into existence the object in the thoughts of the target. In this case, we are going to bring something from Captain Anonymous's mind. He tells me it is an object that will aid our country in the..."

>She struggles. Shining Armor is about to speak for her when she regains her composure

>"...that will help us defend Equestria against the griffons."

>One snobbish unicorn with a top hat and a monocle speaks

>"Why do there need to be so many of us, Princess?"

>Twilight speaks out. "I've cast this spell many times, with only about a fifty percent success rate. And this was with some smaller, simpler items. I've calculated that for something so big and complicated, we'll need more magic that a single unicorn can gather."

>"What is this.. thing anyways?"

>"I...uh..."

>You hadn't told them. Worried that they might not agree to cast the spell, you only described it as one of the best technological inventions ever created.

You all will see, if this works.

>"How will this work?"

>Twilight's face brightens up. She knows how to answer this one

>"There only needs to be one pony casting the spell. That will be me. Everypony else, I need you to direct your magic to me, stopping short of casting any spell. From there, the magic will be guided into the spell, and if all goes to plan, this thing will appear here."

>Those last words slightly bug you

Hey, Twilight, by "here," you mean...

>"In this room, of course."

Uh... it won't fit

>"What?"

What we're trying to bring into this world will not fit in this room. Can you make it appear outside?

>"I..guess I can try."

>Jimmies are slightly rustled. You don't like the word "try"

>You never did.

>Should was also another one, used in the context "This should work," and probably, as in "We probably won't get hurt"

>Dirty airmen said those words all the time to their supervisors

>Dirty airmen... like you yourself once was

>"Are you ready, Anon?"

Yes Twilight. Let's get this over with

>Her horn starts to glow

>Every horn in that room starts to glow

>Quickly, you give the most specific image of your weapon system that you intend on unleashing onto this world

>You see every intricacy, every detail perfectly in your mind's eye.

>And that familiar pressure starts building in your head

>Sigh

>You hate this part

>OH SHIT

>YOU REALLY HATE THIS PART

>It felt much more intense than normal

>Logically speaking, it's probably because it was much bigger than anything you and Twilight had brought into this world

>Physically speaking... SHITSHITSHITSHITFUCKEATINGCUNTGODDAMNITT!

>It felt like you were giving birth... to a two-ton monster... from your head

>After what feels like hours, the glaring pain dies down...

>And is replaced by a dull pain.

>You're on all fours

>You whisper

morphine...

>That snobbish unicorn asks "What?"

MORPHINE

>That shouting made your head flare

>You really needed that morphine NOW

>Door is kicked open

>Fuckmyhead

>It's nurse pony from earlier

help...me...

>She professionally sticks you with a needle

>Relief washes over you

>Your inflamed head is feeling good now

>Perhaps you should grab a few of those shots for the road...

>Focus

>You stand and look towards Twilight

Did it work?

>Nurse pony looks shocked. She whispers "There was enough in there to put a full-grown stallion on the ground."

And I thank you for that. I needed it. Twilight, did it work?

>"Let's go outside and find out."

>You're excited, but let Twilight lead you outside

>There's already a crowd of ponies outside

>"Please, will everypony make a path?

>That's no way to control a crowd Twilight

OUT OF THE WAY

>Every pony turns to look at you, and clears a path

>You at what caused the excitement

>Could it be?

>Approaching it... You can hardly contain your joy

>You were looking at your new F-22...

 

>"What is this?"

Twilight, this is an F-22. It's the most advanced air superiority fighter invented... at least, when I lived on Earth. I've got a lot of experience with this jet.

>You think to yourself that you must have at least 43 air-to-air kills with the F-22

>Wait... You remember something about the F-22 not having flown a single combat mission yet...

>But taking out those aircraft, you know you remember flying the F-22 Raptor

>But...it hasn't yet been used as a weapon..

>Taskmanager

>End 'thinking.exe.' process

>Do you really want to stop this process? (Y/N)

>(Y)

>You learned recently to stop thinking about your inconsistent memories

>They're probably a result of the ever mysterious way you got here in Equestria

>How did you get here?

>Magic. Don't gotta explain shit captain

>"How does it work?" Princess Celestia asks

There's lots of science behind it... but I think it would be better to show you. Did you bring my gear Twilight?

>She nods, and levitates a bag towards you

>Inside, you find all the flight gear you were used to

>Huh, you could've sworn that in the bag when you came here, but you're not about to question this land of magic

>Especially when you've just been handed that F-22 on a silver platter

>You put on your socks, start putting on the flight suit, and when you have it zipped up to your waist, you strip out of your hospital gown

>All in front of that pony crowd

>You don't care about that, but you're at least decent enough not to expost any...sensitive parts

>Revealing your muscled torso, you can't help but feel a few stares

>Turning, you see a few ponies suddenly look away with blushes

>Is that Twilight among that group?

>Na, gotta be your nerves

>You're too damn excited to see straight

>These other ponies though...You'd have imagined they'd be used to seeing everyone naked... they don't wear clothes for the most part

>All geared up, you warn the crowd

Everyone, get back, because this thing needs space

>Or rather, just told them to get out of your grill

>You climb up into the cockpit

>Fuck the nonexistent stairs

>Fuck Operational Risk Management

>You make all your pre-flight checks, and start up the fighter

>SUCCESS

>Now to slowly move it into a flat area...

>Shit. There's bumpy ground everywhere

>And all the loose debris

>But you've gotten this far

>And you've done dangerous stuff before

>Time to takeoff

>The engine roars to life

>Slowly, the F-22 moves forward

>Slowly gaining momentum

>Then it's time

>Pull up a little...

>Too soon. Not going fast enough. You're much too eager

>Maybe you should hold off on flying until you're better?

>No, the griffons aren't going to wait that long. It's now or never to prove you can do it

>You try to pull up a little again...

>And you're off the ground!

>Pushing on the gas, you pull yourself as vertical as you can until you're at a 90 degree angle

>Purely gaining altitude, you feel badass as fuck

>Your head is (puts on shades) in the clouds

>YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

>Mental Punch

>GODDAMNITTHATHURT

>What did I say about making stupid jokes?

>Fuck you brain, fuck you.

>Focus, bitch, do you have that?

>Flying around, you feel right at home

>You knew it. You were a pilot. No doubt anymore. Everything comes naturally here.

>Flying around, you soon see a three specks in the air...

>You're ready to blow them out of the sky

>Locked on, you just need to confirm the targets

>As they approach, you that they're pegasi

>You ease up on the missile button

>Shit, you almost took out an ally

>Coming closer, you notice they have blue uniforms

>Somewhere you had heard of these pegasi...

>Who were they...? The...Thunderbolts?

>No, the Wonderbolts.

>Yeah, that's right. Rainbow Dash told you all about them

>You let them catch up with you. Maybe they got something they want to say

>Two of them look excited, but one doesn't

>You think it's the captain...She(?) has a mane that looks like a blaze, and yellow wings...

>Yup. It's Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts

>She didn't like what see saw apparently

>You can only guess that she doesn't like having a foreign flying body in her airspace

>She's on your 9 o'clock, and pointing down

>Wave. Hi

>She points down fiercely

>Oh, she wants you on the ground...

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-CrX2Ah-8

>You suddenly slow down, watching the Wonderbolts speed past you

>He he, just like in that one movie

>You perform a Split S and laugh

>It took them a few more seconds than you expected to catch up with you

>Spitfire seems to have got into the spirit

>She and the other Wonderbolts speed past you and form up

>All of them sharply go vertical and...

>Separate, like an explosion

>Looks similar to what your Thunderbirds did back on Earth... except more graceful

>They are actually flying ponies...

>Not to be outdone, you perform an Immelmann turn, a Pugachev's Cobra, and then a canopy roll

>They've got you on team flying tricks, but you've got a trick or two up your sleeve

>Then you realize you're actually headed towards Ponyville

>An idea pops into your head

>You take the jet to just below sound barrier-breaking speed

>In a minute you're in Ponyville with the Wonderbolts in pursuit

>Looking below, the inhabitants are all looking at you

>Some in confusion, some in fear, but most in awe

>You look all around...And soon enough, you see her

>Rainbow Dash flying straight at you from your 3 o'clock

>You slow down and allow her to fly at your side

>You see her mouth move

>You give the universal "I can't hear you" motion

>Pointing at where your ear is and cupping your hand around it

>She seems to understand

>Alright, now time to try to explain a maneuver with your hands...

>Her eyes widen, and she furiously nods!

>Oh God, I hope we do this right...

>She turns and almost flies into Spitfire

>You wait 20 seconds before turning

>Good, the Wonderbolts are away from your 12 o'clock

>Dead ahead you see Dash's rainbow mane

>Come on, come on...

>24:37-24:49  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgoQHrlu3Jc&feature=related&t=24m37s

>That was a close one, but at least Rainbow figured out what you meant

>Now you're headed back towards Canterlot...

>Yeah, let's go back and show them your new toy

>The Wonderbolts and RD follow you back

>The ponies are still gathered around

>Time to give an impromptu air show

>With RD and the Wonderbolts flying next to you in no particular formation, you give everyone hand signals, indicating what you want to do

>They seem to understand. You hope they do, because without practice, this is very much deadly

>But a combination of the high you have and the wonder of flight makes you feel adventurous.

>The Wonderbolts do their own thing, allowing you and RD to do the tricks you wanted to do in between each other's set

>You and Rainbow Dash do put on a show not seen in Equestria before

>25:49-26:10, 30:54-31:05 32:15-32:23, 33:28-34:10 of the previous video

>You can't hear the cheering from the ground, but you can clearly see their excitement

>Even the princesses can't help but stare in awe

>You spot out Twilight Sparkle, and give a little salute. You doubt she could see it, but hey, just in case.

>Every pegasi flies next to you, and you made one more hand signal

>They didn't seem to understand

>Fuck

>Try again

>Ok, this time, you got the message across

>You hope.

>Rainbow Dash joins the three Wonderbolts in a four-pegasi formation

>They fly off, and wait for you

>You turn and see their diamond...

>Come on....

>36:27-36:52 of the same video

>Whew

>They definitely weren't prepared for that, but at least nobody got hurt

>And the crowd still loved it

>You've had enough for one day

>Now you motion to everyone that it's time to land

>Landing...shit

>Flat land...flat land...ahah!

>Damn those ponies

>They were standing on the only stretch of flat land

>It's going to be close

>You slow down as much as possible, stick out your landing gear, and hope for the best

>Just about there...touchdown.

>BRAKES

>You slow down...just enough to avoid getting into the crowd

>Damn, you were getting too old for this shit

>23 is old?

>Fuck you brain

>Open the canopy, and climb out

>There is a huge cheer from the crowd, and every pony rushes towards you

>RD lands next to you

>"That was totally AWESOME Anon! Where'd you learn to do stuff like that?"

>Before you can answer, Spitfire and the other two Wonderbolts land right next to her

>"Say, that was some pretty good flying out there. Anytime you and Rainbow want to fly, hit us up. We'll fly with you two."

>Poor Rainbow Dash, she can't handle it. She faints...

>Twilight jumps in front of the crowd

>"How did you even think of this Anon?"

The plane? Well, I did say it was the culmination of several sciences, like aerodynamics and jet propulsion, along with a few other things. The tricks, well...

>You feel the Wonderbolts listening in on this

I learned them from the Thunderbolts. They were the best pilots in my Air Force, in essence the world. They flew aircraft like mine and performed death-defying stunts with them, almost crashing into each other, but pulling away at the precise angle and time. They fly around in planes that are heavily painted, something that is almost never allowed in the Air Force as far as fighter jets go. They're essentially Earth's version of your Wonderbolts

>They smile, being acknowledged as Equestria's finest

>"You must have thought very highly of them."

Yes, I did. Do. When I was a kid, I always went to as many air shows with them as possible. That was something I would do with my little sister...

>And like that, you come crashing down

>No pony sees the change in your emotion, because you have one of the best pokerfaces around.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to rest.

>You pass the crowd, pass the princesses with a salute, and go back into the hospital

>Back to your room and close the door

>You reach in your flight suit pockets

>Please, please let there be

>Yes. Your favorite. Acid C-notes

>You wondered if they were just cigarillos

>Enough pondering...

>Lighting up, you close the blinds and lean against the wall

>Slowly, you fall

>You're on your ass, legs spread out

>The room is full of smoke

>You remember that you're not supposed to inhale cigar smoke, or cigarillo smoke

>Fuck cancer. Breathe in deeply

>COUGH

>COUGHCOUGH

>Shit, that's why

>Beyond point of caring. Why did you have to remember Carolyn?

>You could take Ashely. You were actually starting to get over her, or at least you think you did

>Still didn't trust women at all, but you were maybe starting to not feel hurt over her

>Not Carolyn. You can't handle that.

>Looooong drag from your C-Note

>*Knock knock*

>You don't answer

>"Anon?"

>Well, if it isn't Twilight Sparkle?

>She opens the door and walks in. She's about to turn on the lights

Please leave the lights off

>She sees you, and does as you ask

>"What's wrong?"

Nothing.

>She frowns

>"Come on Anon, we're friends. I know you better than that. Please tell me what's wrong."

>You wonder if you should

How much of the 25 days I was missing do you know about?

>"Princess Celestia told me about your Virtuous Mission. All I know is that you were captured and held for that amount of time. What happened?"

>Where to begin?

I failed that mission. I was the cause of the death of Goodwill Wright.

>"It's not your fault. The griffons..."

They were doing their job. I was doing mine. Except I did mine so poorly that it led to Goodwill's imprisonment and subsequent torture, and soon after, his death.

>She looks down. "What kind of..."

>She doesn't want to know. She needs to know.

Starvation. Mind games. Intimidation. Physical beatings. The latter happening for at least twelve days. I don't even...can't keep track of time there

>"I'm so sorry..."

That's not even the worst of it. I...remembered something...

>She looks up at you, begging for you to go on

>Tears fresh in your eyes, you start to choke

>That look on her face though... it helps you continue

I rememebered more about Carolyn...and my dad.

>She moves closer, and you have to avoid blowing smoke into her face

There's no good way of saying this. I hate my dad. He was always two-faced. When others were looking, he was the best dad, but behind closed doors... he was a tyrant. He beat us, my sister and I. I was there when she needed help getting up, needed some band-aids, or someone to cry to. Before my mom left, she warned him that he'd end up killing one of us... and he did. I can never forgive him for it...nor can I forgive myself for not being there...

>"Where were you?"

In the Air Force. By that time, she was the only one living with him and I was at Technical School. I should've been there...

>And with that, you break down

>Head in your arms, you hide your face

>Twilight sat next to you, and nuzzled your shoulder

>Five minutes go by, where you're just stuck there crying, with your best friend has been trying to comfort you

>Your head goes up, eyes red and wet

>But you're done for now

>You pat her on the head, and give her a quick hug

Thanks. I'm better now.

>"Anon, this is something you might want to talk about more to somepony..."

Thanks for the concern, but I'm good now

>"If you don't try to find help, it's going to keep coming back."

>She's always so concerned. Why is that?

Alright. I'll find someone who can help.

>"Ok."

>You get up, finishing your C-Note

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a meeting with Princess Celestia

>"Is she expecting you?"

No, but I should brief her on the capabilities of my F-22. And after that, I have to personalize it

>"How are you going to do that?"

You'll see.

>You leave the room, headed towards the throne room

>Twilight summons a quill and paper

>"Dear Princess Celestia. Today, I learned more about the tough parts of friendships..."