Line #31 ShoutOut/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar


1	As a crossover, the fic contains numerous references to ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' series, but also a few others:
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3	!! Ace Combat related
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5	* [[spoiler: The Burning Talon]] is a combination of Excalibur from ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'' and Stonehenge from ''VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies''.
6	* Mobius to Mobius 1, the player character from ''VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies''. [[CallBack He even uses the same callsign.]] There are also Talisman and Shamrock, the two leading protagonists of ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation''. Finally, Sky Eye. The two latter characters even mention (though it is not explicitly stated) the respective wars they took part in: The Usean Continental War and [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar Operation "Katina"]] (Mobius and Sky Eye) and the Anean Continental War (Shamrock and Talisman).
7	* Also, the EAF logo is modeled after the [[VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies ISAF logo]].
8	* At the end of chapter 9, the ponies sing "Gotta Stay Fly" from ''VideoGame/AceCombatAssaultHorizon'', though with slightly altered lyrics.
9	* The Gult squadron ("Yellow" in Romanian). For that matter, majority of squadrons names are derived from different Ace Combat games.
10	** The [[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar Sorcerer]] squadron on pony side.
11	* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names or musical themes in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar First Flight]], [[VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies Shattered Skies]], [[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar Flicker of Hope]] and [[VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation The Liberation of Grace... er, Canterlot]].
12	* Night Raven is named after a superplane from ''VideoGame/AceCombat3Electrosphere''.
13	** Edge shares his name with [[VideoGame/AceCombat2 Kei]] [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar Nagase's]] callsign.
14	* This line from Rainbow Dash at the end of chapter 8:
15	--> '''Rainbow Dash''': ''(to Fluttershy)'' Don’t worry about me. We’ll return... and we’ll take back our [[TitleDrop shattered skies]].
16	* In chapter 15, there is a {{flashback}} moment taken directly from ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation'', only that Shamrock tells Talisman about his dead little sister rather than wife and daughter, like it was done in the original.
17	* Chapter 18 has Lightning Bolt reading a book about four pegasi ponies who fought in a conflict together and disappeared after said conflict ended. The book's title? ''[[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar The Unsung War]]''.
18	* Red Cyclone's [[spoiler: Fortress Intimidation]] is basically a homage to most major superweapons from ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' series. [[spoiler: It's located in [[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar The Valley of Kings]], named after [[VideoGame/AceCombat2 Fortress Intolerance]]]] (which Medley {{lampshade\|Hanging}}s), [[spoiler: has three power generators, similarly to [[VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies Megalith]], anti-air defense of [[VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation Chandelier]] and finally, its tunnel is based on the one from ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar''. Oh, and the burst missiles are launched from there, too]].
19	* Chapter 19 is full of references in dialogs.
20	** Gale says almost the same thing that [[VideoGame/AceCombatXSkiesOfDeception Crux]] does at the beginning of mission "End of Deception", just replace Aurellia with Equestria:
21	--> '''Gale''': To all units. This is probably our final sortie. Unlike you, fighting on the frontlines, I sit behind the monitor and observe the battle. I’m in no position to ask you anything, but please allow me this one request. End this war and return to Equestria. That is all.
22	** Black Star says a couple of lines that may immediately bring up an image of [[VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation Ilya Pasternak]]:
23	--> '''Black Star''': Everyone fights for what they believe in. For me, there is only one thing left worth fighting for in this world. And that is the future. Only by fighting you I can let my sins take reign.
24	** Red Cyclone reflects [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar Allen C. Hamilton]] with this quote:
25	--> '''Red Cyclone''': You’re going to fly straight into your deaths!
26	** "[[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar So, have you found your reason to fight yet?]] Dash..."
27	* Chapter 20 has [[spoiler: Gilda]] acting similiary to [[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar "Solo Wing" Pixy]], right down to using several of his quotes.
28	* The Anthem of Harmony sang in the epilogue is based on "The Unsung War" from ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar''.
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30	!!Other references
31	* Some of the griffin names may sound familiar: [[Literature/HarryPotter Greyback]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Jet]], [[VideoGame/StarFox Slip]].
32	** Zeakros is named after Forest of Zeakros, a location in Amiga game ''Shadow of the Beast 3''.
33	* Lightning Bolt's Shining Spark is based on one of [[Manga/GetterRobo Shin Getter Robo's]] special attacks.
34	* The group's first BigDamnHeroes moment is reminiscent of the TropeNamer scene from ''{{Series/Firefly}}'':
35	-->'''Firefly''': Seems like we've arrived in the nick of time. What does that make us, Thunder?\
36	'''Lightning Bolt''': Big Mane Heroines, Flash!
37	* In chapter 9, Firefly says that there is [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} more than meets the eye]] about Rainbow Dash.
38	* When Rainbow Dash comforts Fluttershy in chapter 10, she briefly paraphrases [[VideoGame/MetalGear Solid Snake]].
39	--> '''Rainbow Dash''': You may not believe me, but I understand how you feel. Every pony feels horrible when they do something awful for the first time, especially if they kill someone. Unfortunately, killing is one of those things that become easier to bear the more you do it. During the war, all of ponykind’s worst instincts may surface. It’s important to not let them take you over.
40	* In chapter 13, Pinkie Pie says: [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog "You know what they say, the more the merrier!]]"
41	* In chapter 19, Black Star, while fighting Firefly, quotes [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Sephiroth]]:
42	--> '''Black Star''': If it’s despair you seek... then I shall provide.
43	** Earlier, Firefly quotes [[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy Squall]]:
44	--> '''Firefly''': I know that I’m not alone! That’s why I can fight by myself!
45	* The epilogue also does a number of shoutouts:
46	** When the ponies stand over Blueberry's grave, Fluttershy and Cloud Kicker have an exchange similar to the one between [[Manga/FullMetalAlchemist Colonel Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye]].
47	--> '''Cloud Kicker''': Hey, Fluttershy... are you all right?\
48	'''Fluttershy''': Yes, I’m fine... but it’s a terrible day for a rain.\
49	'''Cloud Kicker''': It’s not raining...\
50	'''Fluttershy''': It is... reveals a crying face
51	** The moment where Firefly speaks with the spirits of her parents is reminiscent of a certain scene from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''.

Context ShoutOut / AceCombatTheEquestrianWar