The fire had dispersed around the mine, the two ponies wearily made their way out. Dusty coughed a bit, looking to Blade and gasping.
There was burns traveling all up his body even on his wings. "Blade…"
"Fairview Meadow should be clear for take off…" Blade replied quietly as they headed out.
He doesn't look good at all…
Blade lead the way before he felt the toll of using his magic come over. His eyes slid shut as he fell onto his side, wings spread out.
Dusty gasped, kneeling beside him. "Oh no… Blade…" He quickly radioed base. "Patch come in, this is Crophopper 7 do you read me?"
"Read you loud and clear Crophopper 7. What's going on?"
"Blade is down, I repeat Blade is down, he's hurt bad… There's so many burns… Please send help. We're in Fairview Meadow."
"Copy that, I'll send Windlifter over right away!"
Dusty nodded, sitting beside Blade. Blade opened one of his eyes weakly, looking to Dusty.
"Hey you…" Dusty said quietly. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes…" Blade coughed. "Is… Is help coming…?"
"Yeah, Windlifter's comin'... You're gonna be fine…" He assured trying to smile. "Just don't give up okay?"
Blade nodded. "Understood…"
After a few moments, Windlifter came flying in. He was shocked seeing Blade but acted quickly, picking the stallion up into his front claws, placing Dusty on his back before taking off to the base.
Windlifter let out a roar to let Maru know he was approaching the base.
Maru hurried out to meet up with them using his magic to bring a stretcher. "Lay him down here, gently! Drip, get one of my IV stands in the workshop! Dynamite get the blankets!" He barked. Those burns can't be exposed to the air for long…
The two Smoke Jumpers nodded, doing as told. Windlifter set Blade down gently, using his wings as a temporary cover till the blankets were brought in.
Maru sighed looking Blade over using a spell to get his vital without having to move him. "He's weak… I need to get started soon…"
Dynamite hurried over, bringing the blankets as Maru covered Blade up bringing him into his workshop.
"I need everyone out NOW!"
Everyone hurried out, leaving Maru to his work. Dusty took one last look before Maru brought a curtain over his workshop and started working.
"Blade…"
"GUYS!"
Everyone looked to see Rainbow Dash flying in, panting as she touched ground on the runway.
"Dash!?" Dusty exclaimed. "What's going on!?"
"Cad… the lodge… He refused to evacuate at first…. He had a change of heart when he saw the flames… they're evacuating now as we speak…" she said between pants. "The train is working overtime and all Pegasi are flying out… the Unicorns and Earth Ponies that can't get on the train are leaving by hoof…"
"Thank goodness…" Dipper sighed in relief.
"That idiot should've listened to Maru…" Dusty growled.
"Where's Blade?" Rainbow Dash asked, noticing that the chief was missing before her eyes landed on the curtain. It clicked. "Oh gosh…"
"Yeah… It's pretty bad.."
Windlifter stepped forward. "Everypony and dragon rest up and be prepared for anything. We don't do anything till we know Blade's condition and orders. Understood?"
They all nodded. "Yes Windlifter."
All dispersed to different parts of the base. Dusty sighed, sitting down, looking at his still busted wings.
Rainbow Dash sat down with him. "You don't have to tell me what happened… But are YOU okay?" She asked worried.
Dusty nodded. "Yeah… Thanks to Blade… he… he saved my tail back there…" He looked at the workshop, worry in his eyes. Blade… you better be keeping your promise.
She brought a wing around him. "He'll be alright Dusty… He doesn't seem like the kind of pony to let himself die…"
Dusty nodded. "Right…"
It was dark by the time Maru came out of the shop, bringing Blade to his hangar on a gurney and setting him down in his bed to rest, all bandaged up. When Maru emerged from the hangar, he saw Dusty and Rainbow Dash waiting for him.
"How is he?" Dusty asked.
"He's resting now, he'll pull through." Maru answered, closing the hangar.
Dusty sighed in relief… feeling guilt. "This is all my fault… he should've just left me there.."
"Dusty…" Rainbow Dash whispered, bringing a wing around him.
Maru shook his head. "Nah… That's not Blade's style… it never was… especially… after what happened to Nick…" he said as he started making his way back to his workshop.
"Nick?" Dusty echoed hurrying after Maru leaving Dash confused. "Nick Loopin' Lopez from the TV show?!"
Maru nodded. "Let me show you something."
He lead Dusty into the shop, moving some boxes to show Nick's picture was on the wall.
"There were doing a stunt that involved Nick's special inner loop technique… there was this downdraft and he got tangled in his tail… then…" Maru lowered his head. "It was only moments before Blade came galloping up to his friend to see him slip away from before his eyes…"
Dusty looked at the picture, gaze softening. "The poor stallion…"
Maru nodded. "Broke Blade's heart… but it was after that, he decided to get trained, certified so he could save lives for real instead of pretending to… He did it for Nick… and continues to do so to this day. He promised he would never stop saving lives as long as he lived." Maru looked to Dusty. "Reason he didn't leave you behind…"
Dusty was touched. "That's… That's amazing…"
"Yeah…" Maru placed the boxes back where they were before turning his attention to Dusty's wings. "Let's get those fixed up… cause something tells me this fire battle isn't over yet."
Dusty nodded getting his harness off. "Right… I'd be pretty useless if I couldn't fly… I wasn't trained for ground control."
Maru got straight to work, replacing the feathers quickly and getting Dusty's harness back on him. "There…"
Rainbow Dash poked her head in. "Hey guys… Windlifter says he's got a plan we need to set in motion… he's in charge now according to Dipper."
Maru nodded. "Yep, let's hear what he has to say."
The ponies trotted out to meet the dragon.
"We've been told that the ponies that are trying to get out are currently unable to get out due the path being blocked. They need our help." He looked to the skies. "It is after dark… but we need to do all we can now… Let's load up!"
Everyone nodded, getting into position.
Maru went over to his containers, getting the remaining retardant made into clouds. "I'll get you more in just a second." he said as he hurried over to the water pump…. only to find no pressure. "Uh…" He tapped the dial before growling. "We got a problem! Now we have no water!"
Cabbie growled. "Line must've burst again."
"How does the lake look Patch?" Windlifter asked.
"It's no good, smoke is covering the whole thing."
Windlifter narrowed his eyes. "All we got left is what Maru has given us, let's make it count!"
Everyone nodded, following after Windlifter as he took the skies. Maru watched them go, concern in his eyes.
Be careful out there…
Dusty and Rainbow Dash stayed close to each other as they followed the team. Their eyes widen when they saw where they were going.
"Are… Are we going straight into the fire?" Dusty asked, feeling panic coming.
"It's the only way we'll be able to get the civilians quickly. Don't talk much and focus on the task." Dipper instructed.
Dusty nodded, looking to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked a little worried too but put on a strong front. "Let's do this…"
The two braced themselves as they entered the fire. Their eyes widened in horror as they saw the flames that were now consuming the trees and everything around it. They could barely hear anything. It was so loud it was deafening as sparks flew through the air, nearly hitting them a few times. They pushed their way through till they came upon the ponies that were trying to get out.
"Alright Mud Droppers, let's do this." Windlifter started. "Dipper, you're first."
Dipper nodded, flying over, dropping her retardant on the blocked path. Windlifter followed after with putting out the fire on the railroad tracks so the train could get through. Dusty and Rainbow Dash took care of the last of the flames before the Smoke Jumpers were sent down to move the debris away.
There were cheers heard from the ponies below as they started making their way out. Dusty sighed in relief as he saw them leaving.
"This is Patch to Air Attack!"
"Windlifter copies, what is it?"
"I got a report of two Earth Ponies on a bridge in Augerien Canyon."
"Two Earth ponies-" Dusty started but stopped, gasping. "No… No!" He flew up ahead so he was next to Windlifter. "That's Harvey a-and Winnie! We met them earlier, they were looking for the spot where they had their first kiss!"
Windlifter's eyes narrowed. "That's all the way on the other side of the park and we have no fire retardant left."
"I'll go. I can do a scoop, there's a clear stretch of water."
Windlifter paused for a moment thinking before nodding. "Be safe."
Dusty nodded and flew off.
Rainbow Dash's head snapped to where he was going. "Is he nuts!?" She exclaimed. "Wind I'm goin' after him!" She called before taking off. "Not letting him get burnt to a crisp too!"
Dusty made his way around the park, diving down as he made his way to Augurin Canyon. There he saw them. Both ponies on the bridge, calling out for help, holding on to each other tightly.
"I'm coming!" Dusty shouted as he flew over them.
"Help! Please!" Winnie screamed holding onto her husband as the bridge started to crack.
Dusty made his descent down to the river to begin his scoop. It was proving to be difficult with all the burning logs that were now by the river, making it nearly impossible to start making his clouds.
"Come on…" he growled, flapping harder.
"Dusty!"
He looked up to Rainbow Dash above, flying in after him.
"NO! DASH STOP-"
Some logs came down, blocking Rainbow Dash from following the same path he was on.
"DASH!"
"I'm okay!" She called out, coughing a little.
They heard a loud crack as more of the bridge started to give out more. Winnie shrieked as she nearly fell off, Harvey grabbing her hoof just in time, holding tightly. "I got you!" he shouted.
Dusty's eyes widened. "No…"
CLANK!
He gasped looking up to see Blade hanging onto the bright with claw devices, flapping his wings hard.
"BLADE?!" Dusty and Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
He nodded. "Hurry!" He shouted.
Dusty looked at the path ahead of him… He knew he only had one option at this point if he wanted to get clouds to form under his wings. He looked over to Rainbow Dash.
"Dash."
"Y-Yeah…?"
He closed his eyes, giving a weak smile as a tear escaped his eye. "Tell everyone at Propwash… I love them…"
Rainbow Dash's eyes widen as she realized what he was about do. "No… don't-"
"Good bye." he whispered before taking off.
"NO! DUSTY!" she shrieked, trying to chase after him, only to be blocked by more log. "COME BACK!"
Sorry Dash… He thought before focusing as he flew up against the falls, pushing his wings with everything they had as his bracelet's alarm began going off. He ignored it growling a little flying up. "I'm not...Giving up!" He dove flying over the bridge dropping the water extinguishing the flames upon it.
Harvey and Winnie took the chance and made a break for the exit just as the bridge began to collapse. Blade let go, flying up to avoid embers. He watched as Dusty flew through the sky… smiling proudly at him. "Good move… partner.."
Dusty nodded, before he felt pain come over his whole body, his wings stopping completely. He closed his eyes… preparing for the end.
This is it for me…
He began his fall into the river below, the flames almost grabbing at him.
I'm sorry everyone… I… I tried… I love you all…
"Dusty Crophopper…"
Huh…? Who is that…?
In a flash a blue figure that looked like a mix between a dragon and a pony appeared before him. His eyes widened as he recognized it… It was the same figure from the dream.
"I am Cloud Burst… I told you you would be able to save them… You found the courage in your heart to do so…"
Dusty swallowed hard, coughing some as he inhaled the smoke around him. "I just wanted to help them… I didn't want them to die… And I was willing to pay the price."
"And you have proven yourself…" Cloud Burst brought her wings around him, catching him in the fall… everything stood still. "Dusty Crophopper…. you have shown true courage and selflessness in order to save two ponies you barely even knew… We, the spirits of Piston Peak want to bestow our gift up on you… if you will accept to trade the form and magic you currently hold."
Dusty looked up at her and nodded. I've wanted real wings all my life… Now's my chance… I can't let them keep fighting the fire alone… "I accept… they still need me out there… I can't let them go it alone."
"Then it shall be done."
Another spirit appear behind Dusty, wings spread out.
"Come Gale Wind… it is time again to bestow our gift."
Gale Wind nodded as she got in position. Cloud Burst moved her wings away from Dusty, getting in position. The two spirits spread their wings wide, circling around Dusty as they set him up on a glide path. He closed his eyes, feeling a new power course through him. He gritted his teeth as he felt a burning sensation in back. A blue glow came around his wings… Slowly…. the metal faded into real feathers… the harness disappearing and the wings becoming one with Dusty's back.
"Now go… SOAR!" The spirits shouted.
Dusty opened his eyes, shooting up into the air, spreading his new wings, blue magic dispersing around him. The spirits faded from sight, leaving to continue their part of the fight.
Blade looked up, smiling as he saw the wings. "He did it…" he whispered.
Rainbow Dash was looking up as well, awestruck at what she was seeing. "D-Dusty…"
Dusty got a serious look in his eyes as he dove down, gathering water in his wings and starting to put out more of the fire around the canyon."
Blade followed after him doing the same, Rainbow Dash following suit. They flew through the canyon, and out to the other parts of the park, bringing water. The other members of the air attack joined them. Within time… the fire was under control…
"It's over…" Rainbow Dash sighed in relief before looking over to Dusty.
He was panting hard, still having a blue glow in his eyes and his wings… He was a completely different pony right now.
What… happened down there…?
Before she could think of anything else, Dusty closed his eyes, the glow fading from him, and went straight into a free fall. Blade dove under him, catching him.
"Got ya."
Dusty curled up a little before going still, out cold from sheer exhaustion.
"Is… Is he still breathing?" Rainbow Dash asked, worried. She had seen him nearly throw his life away just hours before… She couldn't help but worry for him.
"Yes, he's just tired. He used a large amount of magic in the last few hours… He just needs to rest now…" Blade looked to his team. "Back to base everyone."
Everyone nodded as they made their way back to base.
Blade was the first to land, hurrying Dusty over to Maru's shop.
"He has a few injuries that need treatment." Blade said as he set Dusty down on a gurney.
Maru nodded looking him over. "Can do." He levitated his equipment over. "Least this is minor compared to the trouble you got yourself into."
Blade nodded.
Rainbow Dash came over, holding one of Dusty's front hooves, looking at his new wings.
Maru treated his injuries glancing up at the mare. "They're real alright, not imagining anything."
Rainbow Dash nodded, smiling, tearing up a little. "They… They look like his old wings… Orange and white… but… actual feathers… and they're his…" She leaned in nuzzling him. "Dusty…. They're really yours…"
Dusty smiled in his sleep nuzzling her back, wings twitching a little.
"Heh… He'll be just fine now… He won't need this anymore…" Maru got rid of the bracelet storing it away for now. "He can go crazy on it with a rock later… He's proven himself alright… You know what those wings also mean?"
Rainbow Dash looked up. "What?"
Maru smirked. "It means…. He's an official firefighter… THOSE right there are as good as any certification Blade can hand out."
Blade nodded. "That's right… He's one of us now."
Rainbow Dash smiled. "Oh Dusty…" She sighed in relief, laying her head by his. "You did it…. You really did it…"
Maru finished up laying a blanket over Dusty. "He did… And he'll be just fine… He just needs to sleep it off basically." He looked to Blade. "The infamous Piston Peak week long initiation coma."
"Yep, so just give him time."
"Is it okay if I stay?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Long as you don't try to find my cider stash I'm fine with it." Maru replied putting his tools away.
"Deal…"
She curled up beside Dusty, keeping close.
Just wait till everypony else sees you…
In his sleep, Dusty brought a wing over her keeping her close. Maru smiled turning down the lights.
They can finally have some peace and quiet….
Now… Where to find Cad… I got a certain thing to steal from him…