History ShoutOut / AceCombatTheEquestrianWar

'''Lightning Bolt''': [[JustForPun Big Mane Heroines]], Flash!

** 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]].
--> '''Cloud Kicker''': Hey, Fluttershy... are you all right?
--> '''Fluttershy''': Yes, I’m fine... but it’s a terrible day for a rain.
--> '''Cloud Kicker''': It’s not raining...
--> '''Fluttershy''': It is... *reveals a crying face*
** The moment where Firefly speaks with the spirits of her parents is reminscent of a certain scene from Disney/TheLionKing.

* When Rainbow Dash comforts Fluttershy in chapter 10, she briefly paraphrases [[Franchise/MetalGear Solid Snake]].

As a crossover, the fic contains numerous references to Ace Combat series, but also a few others:

* [[spoiler: The Burning Talon]] is a combination of Excalibur from AceCombatZero and Stonehenge from AceCombat04.
* Mobius to Mobius 1, the player character from AceCombat04. [[CallBack He even uses the same callsign.]] There are also Talisman and Shamrock, the two leading protagonists of AceCombat6. 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 [[AceCombat5 Operation "Katina"]] (Mobius and Sky Eye) and the Anean Continental War (Shamrock and Talisman).
* Also, the EAF logo is modeled after the [[AceCombat04 ISAF logo]].
* At the end of chapter 9, the ponies sing "Gotta Stay Fly" from AceCombatAssaultHorizon, though with slightly altered lyrics.

** The [[VideoGame/AceCombatZero Sorcerer]] squadron on pony side.
* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names or musical themes in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[VideoGame/AceCombat5 First Flight]], [[VideoGame/AceCombat04 Shattered Skies]], [[VideoGame/AceCombatZero Flicker of Hope]] and [[VideoGame/AceCombat6 The Liberation of Grace... er, Canterlot]].
* Night Raven is named after a superplane from AceCombat3.
** Edge shares his name with [[VideoGame/AceCombat2 Kei]] [[AceCombat5 Nagase's]] callsign.

* In chapter 15, there is a {{flashback}} moment taken directly from AceCombat6, only that Shamrock tells Talisman about his dead little sister rather than wife and daughter, like it was done in the original.
* 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? ''[[AceCombat5 The Unsung War]]''.
* Red Cyclone's [[spoiler: Fortress Intimidation]] is basically a homage to most major superweapons from AceCombat series. [[spoiler: It's located in [[VideoGame/AceCombatZero The Valley of Kings]], named after [[VideoGame/AceCombat2 Fortress Intolerance]]]] (which Medley {{lampshade|Hanging}}s), [[spoiler: has three power generators, similarly to [[VideoGame/AceCombat04 Megalith]], anti-air defense of [[VideoGame/AceCombat6 Chandelier]] and finally, its tunnel is based on the one from ''VideoGame/AceCombat5''. Oh, and the burst missiles are launched from there, too]].

** Black Star says a couple of lines that may immediately bring up an image of [[VideoGame/AceCombat6 Ilya Pasternak]]:

** Red Cyclone reflects [[VideoGame/AceCombat5 Allen C. Hamilton]] with this quote:

** "[[VideoGame/AceCombatZero So, have you found your reason to fight yet?]] Dash..."
* Chapter 20 has [[spoiler: Gilda]] acting similiary to [[VideoGame/AceCombatZero "Solo Wing" Pixy]], right down to using several of his quotes.
* The Anthem of Harmony sang in the epilogue is based on "The Unsung War" from AceCombat5.

** The [[AceCombatZero Sorcerer]] squadron on pony side.
* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names or musical themes in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[{{AceCombat5}} First Flight]], [[{{AceCombat04}} Shattered Skies]], [[{{AceCombatZero}} Flicker of Hope]] and [[{{AceCombat6}} The Liberation of Grace... er, Canterlot]].

** Edge shares his name with [[AceCombat2 Kei]] [[AceCombat5 Nagase's]] callsign.

--> '''Rainbow Dash''': ''(to Fluttershy)'' Don’t worry about me. We’ll return... and we’ll take back our [[{{TitleDrop}} shattered skies]].
* In chapter 15, there is a [[{{FlashBack}} flashback]] moment taken directly from AceCombat6, only that Shamrock tells Talisman about his dead little sister rather than wife and daughter, like it was done in the original.

* Red Cyclone's [[spoiler: Fortress Intimidation]] is basically a homage to most major superweapons from AceCombat series. [[spoiler: It's located in [[AceCombatZero The Valley of Kings]], named after [[AceCombat2 Fortress Intolerance]]]] (which Medley [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]]), [[spoiler: has three power generators, similarly to [[AceCombat04 Megalith]], anti-air defense of [[AceCombat6 Chandelier]] and finally, its tunnel is based on the one from AceCombat5. Oh, and the burst missiles are launched from there, too]].

** Gale says almost the same thing that [[{{AceCombatXSkiesOfDeception}} Crux]] does at the beginning of mission "End of Deception", just replace Aurellia with Equestria:

** Black Star says a couple of lines that may immediately bring up an image of [[{{AceCombat6}} Ilya Pasternak]]:

** Red Cyclone reflects [[{{AceCombat5}} Allen C. Hamilton]] with this quote:

** "[[{{AceCombatZero}} So, have you found your reason to fight yet?]] Dash..."
* Chapter 20 has [[spoiler: Gilda]] acting similiary to [[{{AceCombatZero}} "Solo Wing" Pixy]], right down to using several of his quotes.

* Lightning Bolt's Shining Spark is based on one of [[{{GetterRobo}} Shin Getter Robo's]] special attacks.

* In chapter 9, Firefly says that there is [[{{Transformers}} more than meets the eye]] about Rainbow Dash.

* In chapter 19, Black Star, while fighting Firefly, quotes [[{{VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII}} Sephiroth]]:

** Earlier, Firefly quotes [[{{DissidiaFinalFantasy}} Squall]]:

** 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]].

g.

As a crossover, the fic contains numerous references to Ace Combat series, but also a few others:

!! Ace Combat related

* [[spoiler: The Burning Talon]] is a combination of Excalibur from AceCombatZero and Stonehenge from AceCombat04.
* Mobius to Mobius 1, the player character from AceCombat04. [[CallBack He even uses the same callsign.]] There are also Talisman and Shamrock, the two leading protagonists of AceCombat6. 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 [[AceCombat5 Operation "Katina"]] (Mobius and Sky Eye) and the Anean Continental War (Shamrock and Talisman).
* Also, the EAF logo is modeled after the [[AceCombat04 ISAF logo]].
* At the end of chapter 9, the ponies sing "Gotta Stay Fly" from AceCombatAssaultHorizon, though with slightly altered lyrics.
* The Gult squadron ("Yellow" in Romanian). For that matter, majority of squadrons names are derived from different Ace Combat games.
** The [[AceCombatZero Sorcerer]] squadron on pony side.
* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names or musical themes in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[{{AceCombat5}} First Flight]], [[{{AceCombat04}} Shattered Skies]], [[{{AceCombatZero}} Flicker of Hope]] and [[{{AceCombat6}} The Liberation of Grace... er, Canterlot]].
* Night Raven is named after a superplane from AceCombat3.
** Edge shares his name with [[AceCombat2 Kei]] [[AceCombat5 Nagase's]] callsign.
* This line from Rainbow Dash at the end of chapter 8:
--> '''Rainbow Dash''': ''(to Fluttershy)'' Don’t worry about me. We’ll return... and we’ll take back our [[{{TitleDrop}} shattered skies]].
* In chapter 15, there is a [[{{FlashBack}} flashback]] moment taken directly from AceCombat6, only that Shamrock tells Talisman about his dead little sister rather than wife and daughter, like it was done in the original.
* 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? ''[[AceCombat5 The Unsung War]]''.
* Red Cyclone's [[spoiler: Fortress Intimidation]] is basically a homage to most major superweapons from AceCombat series. [[spoiler: It's located in [[AceCombatZero The Valley of Kings]], named after [[AceCombat2 Fortress Intolerance]]]] (which Medley [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]]), [[spoiler: has three power generators, similarly to [[AceCombat04 Megalith]], anti-air defense of [[AceCombat6 Chandelier]] and finally, its tunnel is based on the one from AceCombat5. Oh, and the burst missiles are launched from there, too]].
* Chapter 19 is full of references in dialogs.
** Gale says almost the same thing that [[{{AceCombatXSkiesOfDeception}} Crux]] does at the beginning of mission "End of Deception", just replace Aurellia with Equestria:
--> '''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.
** Black Star says a couple of lines that may immediately bring up an image of [[{{AceCombat6}} Ilya Pasternak]]:
--> '''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.
** Red Cyclone reflects [[{{AceCombat5}} Allen C. Hamilton]] with this quote:
--> '''Red Cyclone''': You’re going to fly straight into your deaths!
** "[[{{AceCombatZero}} So, have you found your reason to fight yet?]] Dash..."
* Chapter 20 has [[spoiler: Gilda]] acting similiary to [[{{AceCombatZero}} "Solo Wing" Pixy]], right down to using several of his quotes.
* The Anthem of Harmony sang in the epilogue is based on "The Unsung War" from AceCombat5.

!!Other references
* Some of the griffin names may sound familiar: [[Literature/HarryPotter Greyback]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Jet]], [[VideoGame/StarFox Slip]].
** Zeakros is named after Forest of Zeakros, a location in Amiga game ''Shadow of the Beast 3''.
* Lightning Bolt's Shining Spark is based on one of [[{{GetterRobo}} Shin Getter Robo's]] special attacks.
* The group's first BigDamnHeroes moment is reminiscent of the TropeNamer scene from ''{{Series/Firefly}}'':
-->'''Firefly''': Seems like we've arrived in the nick of time. What does that make us, Thunder?\\
'''Lightning Bolt''': [[JustForPun Big Mane Heroines]], Flash!
* In chapter 9, Firefly says that there is [[{{Transformers}} more than meets the eye]] about Rainbow Dash.
* When Rainbow Dash comforts Fluttershy in chapter 10, she briefly paraphrases [[Franchise/MetalGear Solid Snake]].
--> '''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.
* In chapter 13, Pinkie Pie says: [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog "You know what they say, the more the merrier!]]"
* In chapter 19, Black Star, while fighting Firefly, quotes [[{{VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII}} Sephiroth]]:
--> '''Black Star''': If it’s despair you seek... then I shall provide.
** Earlier, Firefly quotes [[{{DissidiaFinalFantasy}} Squall]]:
--> '''Firefly''': I know that I’m not alone! That’s why I can fight by myself!
* The epilogue also does a number of shoutouts:
** 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]].
--> '''Cloud Kicker''': Hey, Fluttershy... are you all right?
--> '''Fluttershy''': Yes, I’m fine... but it’s a terrible day for a rain.
--> '''Cloud Kicker''': It’s not raining...
--> '''Fluttershy''': It is... *reveals a crying face*
** The moment where Firefly speaks with the spirits of her parents is reminscent of a certain scene from Disney/TheLionKing.

** The moment where Firefly speaks with the spirits of her parents is reminscent of a certain scene from Disney/TheLionKing.
* The group's first BigDamnHeroes moment is reminiscent of the TropeNamer scene from ''{{Series/Firefly}}'':
-->'''Firefly''': Seems like we've arrived in the nick of time. What does that make us, Thunder?\\
'''Lightning Bolt''': [[JustForPun Big Mane Heroines]], Flash!

* In chapter 13, Pinkie Pie says: [[{{ShadowTheHedgehog}} "You know what they say, the more the merrier!]]"

** The moment where Firefly speaks with the spirits of her parents is reminscent of a certain scene from Disney/TheLionKing.

* In chapter 15, there is a [[{{FlashBack}} flashback]] moment taken directly from AceCombat6, only that Shamrock tells Talisman about his DeadLittleSister rather than wife and daughter, like it was done in the original.

* Some of the griffin names may sound familiar: [[{{Literature/HarryPotter}} Greyback]], [[{{SonicTheHedgehog}} Jet]], [[{{VideoGame/StarFox}} Slip]].

* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[{{AceCombat5}} First Flight]], [[{{AceCombat04}} Shattered Skies]], [[{{AceCombatZero}} Flicker of Hope]] and [[{{AceCombat6}} The Liberation of Grace... er, Canterlot]].

* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[{{AceCombat5}} First Flight]], [[{{AceCombat04}} Shattered Skies]], [[{{AceCombatZero}} Flicker of Hope]] and [[{{AceCombatXSkiesOfDeception}} End of Deception]].

* Likewise, most chapters have their titles derived from various mission names in different Ace Combat games. Examples include [[{{AceCombat5}} First Flight]], [[{{AceCombat04}} Shattered Skies]], [[{{AceCombatZero}} Flicker of Hope]] and [[{{AceCombat6}} The Liberation of Grace... er, Equestria]].

* When Rainbow Dash comforts Fluttershy in chapter 10, she briefly paraphrases [[{{MetalGearSolid}} Solid Snake]].