Dusty was unconscious still when Cad came calling, enraged at the firefighters.

Blade was still healing up but trudged out of Maru's workshop unafraid to go head to head with the superintendent.

"BLADE! WHAT IN THE NAME OF SWEET LUNA WAS THAT!? I had to save my own lodge!"

Blade was about to make a remark but halted. "... You what?" He asked quietly narrowing his eyes.

Cad glared getting in the former actor's face. "You heard me! I had to use the sprinklers to full power to save my lodge MYSELF! That puny Pegasus you sent just sent everypony into a panic so of course I had to do SOMETHING!"

Blade looked to where Rainbow Dash was. From what he had heard from her, there was another firefighter at the lodge helping but she had to leave when the fire seemed under control on that end. "Oh is that so?" He growled a little. "Because… What my stallions told ME the main water line was mysteriously EMPTY."

Cad rolled his eyes. "Seemed like there was plenty for me to use."

Maru growled. "IDIOT! WE SHARE THAT LINE! YOU DIRECTED IT ALL TO YOUR SPRINKLERS DIDN'T YOU?!"

Cad scoffed. "So what if I did? My lodge is the most important thing here after all! It cost more bits than it does to pay you lot!"

Blade snorted, trying to keep from snapping. "It would've been the same cost if you actually… I don't know...PAID US!?"

"Yeah!" Maru yelled. "Also, we need that water for us to do our jobs! Surely somepony or someone told you that!"

"Hmph, you seemed to have plenty from where I was." Cad muttered loud enough to be heard.

Maru stomped one of his hooves. "Why I oughta-"

"That's quite enough from all of you."

All three ponies turned their attention to see a well dressed deep green stallion with bright blue eyes trot up to them, a serious expression on his face.

Blade raised an eyebrow, noting that Cad seemed to pale to a perfect white. Guess he didn't need the bleach for this…. "And whom might you be?"

"The secretary of Equestria, I'm in charge of all the national parks in being sure they're running smoothly and are in top shape. Mainly being sure the wildlife is doing well and that the environment is healthy." He looked behind him at the burnt areas. "This however… is not acceptable…"

Blade lowered his head in respect. "My apologies sir, but last night was one of the worst fires in my time here and I've been here for over twenty years. We nearly lost a couple of our own myself included… and our water had been tampered with." He glanced to Cad, subtly hinting just who it was.

"Do not blame yourselves, I've seen more than you think and that's why I've come to a decision." The secretary looked to Cad. "As I've seen, and have heard from other ponies you are not fit to be the park superintendent. By the power Celestia has bestowed upon me I hereby revoke your position, Cad Spinner."

Cad's eyes got as wide as dinner plates as he started stammering. "B-But-But-they-they-"

In the distance loud cheering from the Smoke Jumpers who had been spying could be heard. Blade looked to them and gave them a warning look but was barely able to keep the smirk off his face.

"You're the reason they were unable to perform to their full duties, Cad. The way you treat your employees as well is unacceptable and you don't seem to give any care to the park itself. You only care about the lodge." the secretary narrowed his eyes. "Now, you either walk away from this quietly or you'll take it up with the Princesses."

Cad's jaw dropped. T-The Princesses!? THEY'D HAVE MY HORN!

"I also feel the need to add that we had a member of Princess Twilight's council volunteering and she reported to me that Cad continuously denied the need to evacuate and even called her as she quoted: "A skittle colored brat." while doing so… Quite disrespectful… I would think Princess Twilight would be rather displeased no?"

"Indeed… I'd hightail it out of here if I were you Cad." The secretary's expression got very serious. "I wouldn't want to imagine what would happen if I told the Princesses every last bit that has happened here."

Cad nodded for once completely and utterly silent before taking his leave.

Blade kept his composure but inside was cheering. FINALLY HE IS GONE! No more budget cuts, no more being unable to keep the folks I trained, WE ARE FREE! He cheered mentally but on the outside kept his composure calm and serious. "Thank you for that…" He said to the secretary. "He has been rather… irresponsible with everything in the last eight years…"

The secretary nodded. "You're welcome and I know just the right pony to take his place, and he's already agreed to it."

Blade blinked. "Whom?"

Maru raised an eyebrow curious as well. Here we go more Canterlot snobs…

"He's a park ranger here at Piston Peak who shows great care to the wildlife and to the park itself. His name is Ol' Jammer. He seems more fit for the job than anypony else."

"YES!" Drip could be heard cheering from the rooftop of the workshop. Maru's head snapped to him.

"GET OFF MY WORKSHOP!" He yelled before looking back. "We're familiar with him. He was a faithful member of the "Get Cad the Hay Outta Here" club."

"Maru…" Blade gave him a look but couldn't help but grin. "Oh who am I kidding? We do know him very well and he would make an excellent higher up… Not to mention we actually can stand him."

"Then it shall be done. I'll get all the arrangements made and since you've all worked so hard I'll have the Princesses send bits your way to help pay for damages and get your base fixed up."

Blade nodded sighing in relief. "Thank you… We're very grateful."

Maru quietly excused himself before his own voice joined the Smoke Jumper's loud cheering.

"YESSSS! NO MORE BIT PINCHING FOR US!"

"... My team is very grateful… They just have a funny way of showing it I assure you."

The secretary chuckled. "I understand. I better go now. I got arrangements to make… send my best to your recovering team members." The secretary gave a nod before trotting off, leaving the team to their thoughts.

Blade waited until he was out of earshot before starting to laugh. "MARU!"

"Yeah Blade!?"

"Get the cider out! Tonight while we're still recovering… We're celebrating!"

"Gem mine!?" Drip and Black Out asked excitedly.

"... I'll think about it. I'm not opposed."

Maru chuckled. "Either way, it's a party for all of us… Oh I better check on our sleeping stallion."

Maru hurried over to his workshop. Rainbow Dash was fast asleep next to Dusty. Dipper was nearby as well, slumped over part of the bed.

"Right where I left them…" He commented as he made his way towards them, poking the two mares with a wrench. "Rise and shine sleeping beauties."

Dipper yawned lifting her head a little. "I'm… Totally awake… I…" She laid her head down letting out a long sigh easily drifting back off.

Rainbow Dash mumbled before opening her eyes. "Hmm…? What happened…?"

"Well this news oughta wake ya up, CAD GOT FIRED!"

Both mares jumped up at this news. "You're kidding me!?" Dipper squealed. "Really!?"

"What took it!? Did Twi find out or somethin'?"

"The secretary of Equestria found out and got him busted. He said either walk away quietly or take it up with the Princesses. Cad walked away and now Ol' Jammer is in charge!"

Dipper cheered flying up. "YES! About darn time!"

Rainbow Dash smirked. "Heh no more duct tape eh?"

"Eeeeeeh I still love my duct tape, but I can get the base in better shape, that's for sure." He focused his eyes on Dusty. "Still out cold huh?"

"Yeah…" Rainbow Dash's look softened. "He twitches his wings every now and then but he hasn't moved much."

"Still recovering from the change and the rush of energy… just glad he was chosen at the right time."

"Yeah no kidding… He was pretty hurt when he came here… His gearbox implant was malfunctioning and there was literally no one who could operate on his back to fix it…" Rainbow Dash sighed a bit. "I just don't want to see him suffering anymore."

"I hear ya."

She nodded, brushing Dusty's back with one of her own wings. "Just look at him now… Finally a Pegasus… A real one…"

"Not just any… but a Storm Pegasus… built to protect Equestria from fires."

"Yep." Dipper nodded landing. "Just like us."

Rainbow Dash smiled softly at Dusty. "That's Dusty… Heh… Came here to learn how to protect ponies… Now he's gonna leave a hero…"

Maru nodded. "Darn right."

"Now to hope he wakes up soon…"

Dusty's wings twitched a little mumbling a bit in his sleep.

Maru raised an eyebrow, getting close and poking Dusty's wing with his wrench. He twitched a little. Rainbow Dash moved closer as well as Maru gave another poke… that caused Dusty's wing to open entirely sending both ponies flying into a pile of boxes.

"OOPH!"

"OW!"

Dipper tried hard not to laugh as the two got up, both having boxes on their heads. Blade came in as well… trying to keep a straight face.

"Y-You two okay?" he asked, biting his lip a little.

"Just peachy." Maru answered, levitating the box off his head.

"You don't wanna know." Rainbow Dash added, shaking the box off of her own, fixing Dusty a look. "But he is SO gonna get some payback!" She went over to him and nudged him a little. "C'mon you…"

Dusty mumbled a bit in his sleep, moving a little.

Blade came over to get a closer look. "What was that Champ?"

Dusty was silent before words quietly came out. "I…. I'm coming home…"

Everyone gasped a little. "Home…?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"He's coming back… That's what…" Blade murmured.

Maru shook his head putting his wrench away. "He'll be juuust fine… I'll poke him every now and then to see if he's any closer to waking up."

Blade nodded. "Shouldn't be too long with him twitching so much not to mention talking."

Maru nodded. "Yup."

Rainbow Dash sighed a bit, looking at him, nudging him a little. "Don't get lost…" She muttered… Before Dusty's wing twitched coming down and hitting her right on the head. "OOF!"

Dipper tried not to laugh. "Well now we know that he doesn't like being poked."

"Yeah… Now I'm just wondering what's going on in his head."

Blade chuckled. "Could be anything… but probably best it's kept to him only."

"Yup… Best to let him dream for now… More sleep he gets the stronger he'll get." Maru agreed.

Rainbow Dash nodded.

Just don't let it be too long…

"We're almost there, I promise."

Dusty nodded as he continued down the path of ashes before him, leaning against a white Pegasus with a black mane and dark brown eyes, dressed in Canterlot armor. He had awoken in this place feeling weak and scared, not sure what was going to happen… then the stallion appeared, telling him not to give up… he was sure he was dead when he saw who it was but he assured him he wasn't dead.

"You're gonna be just fine." he said, reassuring him.

Dusty relaxed a little giving a nod. "I just feel so tired… and my back feels heavy… Like something's holding onto it…"

"You'll get used to it, I promise." The stallion looked ahead. "Blade will make sure of that one… I know him."

"Thanks… Nick."

Nick smiled. "Anything for a friend of Blade's… he didn't want you dying… and I sure as heck wasn't gonna standby and do nothing… he's already suffered enough. Couldn't let him lose you too."

Dusty smiled back. He felt lucky that he had even survived the fall… But he knew it was still a ways to go before he saw everyone again. "I promise he won't suffer anymore… That much I'll make sure of… He didn't give up on training me even if I drove him absolutely crazy I'm sure…"

Nick chuckled. "It's just how he is… He was the same with me…"

Dusty laughed at the mental image of Blade doing his usual routine with Nick. "Did he ask you the fire question too?"

Nick flattened his ears against his head a bit. "Oh you don't even wanna know what trouble he gave me!" Flying ticket…

"Alright then." Dusty chuckled, coughing a little.

Nick gave him a concerned look stroking his back with his wing. "Easy there… Try to take it easy on the laughing… You still got some smoke in those lungs."

"R-Right…" Dusty looked at the path ahead.

Nick looked ahead as well as he lead Dusty along. "Talk to me… Who's on the other side waiting for ya? Friends? Family?"

"Both… I got a promise to keep a friend of mine… I promised her I would come back in one piece…"

"That so?" Nick grinned at him. "Girlfriend?"

Dusty shook his head, lightly chuckling. "No… best friend. Rainbow Dash is her name."

"Heh spirited name… She a fast flyer too? Racer?"

"Yeah… one of the best… and is part of Princess Twilight's council.."

Nick smiled. "One of Equestria's youngest princesses... Pretty amazing to be tight with someone in that group.. You got some important ponies on your side…"

Dusty nodded. "I just gotta get back to her… and everypony else..."

"You will… Who else is there? Tell me about 'em… It'll help pass the time."

"My family… I got my parents… my two siblings… Love them so much… my friends back in Propwash too… I came here for their sake… another promise I suppose."

Nick nodded. "Noble cause, risking yourself for your town's sake… So they can have a tomorrow… Your siblings are lucky to have a brother like you."

Dusty smiled a little. "Heh… they would agree… when I wake up I'll be sure to give them the biggest hug ever."

Nick smiled. "That's a good plan… Heh… Actually if I were you I'd take a look to the side right now…"

Dusty blinked before doing so.

Off to the side was a view of his parents home, his siblings outside the house playing and messing around. "ANDY! Come on!" Olivia squealed chasing after her second eldest brother.

Andy had a set of artificial wings on his back following in his brother's footsteps as it were as he chased after her. "I'm gonna get you when I get these suckers working!"

"Not too good with tech is he?" Nick asked chuckling.

"Nope." Dusty chuckled. "Still learning how they work."

"Bet you two are gonna have some fun once he does get them working mister Storm Pegasus."

Dusty nodded. "Yeah…"

A light shined at the end of the path.

"Huh?"

Nick stopped short a serious look coming onto his features. "This is where I stop… But you have to go ahead alone… THAT is your way outta this realm. Your chance to get out of here and see them all again… And you better take it now."

Dusty nodded. "Alright… thank you again for your help."

Nick nodded. "Anytime… and do me a small favor when you wake up… Actually, two small favors…"

"Name 'em."

"One; Tell Blade I said hi… Two; Tell him to shut up about the flying ticket I got years ago."

Dusty blinked before nodding. "Noted." He turned his attention to the light, walking away from Nick, heading towards it.

Luck be with ya kid…

Dusty broke into a trot as he felt his strength coming back to him, he looked at his back briefly seeing his wings starting to move. "C'mon…" He flapped them as hard as he could as he took off into the air soaring into the light.

I'm coming home.