A/N: Thought that i might as well finish it. To tell the truth I'm getting a bit board with this story
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Chapter Fifteen: Firefighters.
Blade told the entire base my story to save me doing it. When the smokejumper gave me looks I activated it and soaked them then they believed me. Also it glowed and turned red when it is activated. Blade did not tell them about the image I saw though just to be on the safe side.
It had been five days since the crash and Dusty was still out of it. Someone who I suppose was the Secretary of the Interior that Cad had spoken about had been up to talk to Blade. Cad was no longer in charge of the lodge which was a relief. Cloudy said that I served him right so Crow had to explain Cloudy's abilities.
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On the morning of the sixth day Crow and I were watching Maru with Dipper when Dusty let out a slight moan and his eyes slowly opened.
"Maru?"
"Hello there. Ha, ha he's awake! I'm a genius."
"Hey Maru aren't you always the genius?" I teased as he pushed the ramp away so it against the wall.
"Shut up smarty!" Maru snapped back and I laughed.
Dusty slowly rolling out of the garage, looking disoriented and tired but alive and well.
"Mornin', mud dropper." Blade greeted.
Dusty sighed tiredly. "How long have I been out, anyway?"
"Five days." Blade reported. "Dipper stayed by your side the whole time."
Dusty felt confident Dipper's intentions were good, and that the SuperScooper wasn't watching him in a creepy way.
"I like watching you sleep."
Or, maybe not.
I cracked and the others just rolled their eyes knowing that I had read Dusty's mind.
"All aircraft, the superintendent has entered the base." Patch announced, actually sounding happy to announce the superintendent's arrival. "The superintendent has entered the base."
Dusty was confused, especially when Ol' Jammer rolled up with André the concierge, Pulaski, and his assistant following. "Well, you had us worried, Dusty." Jammer said. "Glad to see you're out and about."
Dusty blinked. "You're the superintendent? What happened to Cad?"
Pulaski chuckled. "Sprinkler saved the lodge but not his job. Secretary of the Interior did the right thing. Put Ranger Jammer here in charge."
"YAY!" Avalanche cheered.
"Maru, did you tell him?" Windlifter asked.
Maru looked down. "Uh….."
"Tell me what?" Dusty asked nervously, knowing it had something to do with his repairs.
"I replaced your prop." Maru reported. "Repaired the damaged wing ribs. Hammered out what damage I could. Even got your pontoons back on." He chuckled, and then his face fell. "But your gearbox…" Everyone else looked down.
"I know." Dusty sighed, disappointed. "Thanks for trying, Maru."
Maru smiled broadly, as did everyone else. "You're welcome!"
"What?" Dusty asked.
"'Cause you're fixed!" Maru announced happily.
"Wait, really?" Dusty gasped in surprise.
"Yeah, that was the hardest thing I've ever done." Maru admitted. "You've got yourself a custom-made, epicyclic, concentric reduction gearbox."
"A new gearbox?" Dusty smiled happily.
"No!" Maru scoffed. "It's better than new!"
"Crophopper, Jakins, Patterson I'd say you've earned your certification." Blade announced. Dusty's and us girl's smiles grew, if it were even possible at that moment, and everyone began cheering happily. Dusty could hardly believe it.
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That same day Maru told Blade that someone he had worked with had radioed up and after finding out that Blade worked here had sent someone Blade knew up. Then the sound of rotor blades filled the air and I grinned. A familiar Hughes 500D helicopter land but without the word's, logo or symbols landed. I saw a heap of jaws drop. Blade gave me a slight smile now know I had been right about the whole Nick still being alive and went to greet his partner.
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Blade later told the base about how I had told him about Nick still being alive but the smokejumpers did not get it so I dragged them off and explained it. About a hundred times.
Blade radioed up Propwash and let them know that Dusty was awake but Maru had grounded him for a week to 'heal.' Nick had fun telling us about acting on a set and Blade managed to certify him in a week.
Now, it was the day before we left to return to Propwash Junction. The Air Attack team joined us for the Corn Fest to celebrate their certification and to give the firefighters a break from what happened.
Dusty received a gift from Maru, at Blade's request: a new paintjob, red and black on white to match Mayday and Blade. Dusty wore the new scheme proudly, beaming at his mentor. Maru even repainted the Jolly Wrench insignia back onto Dusty's nose. Blade gave me a T-shirt to replace the old one. It was red with flames coming at least half way up the front and back. The insignias for the Jolly Wrenches were on the sleeves and the words Propwash Junction Fire Team were on the back of the shirt and my jumper. Crow and I also received real firefighting helmets with a yellow visor and Propwash Junction Fire Team on the front. Nick got the words Piston Peak painted on his tail but kept his white and blue colour scheme.
"There." Blade nodded in satisfaction. "Now at least you'll three match."
Nick looked at me, smirked and looked at Blade. "Why Blade, I didn't know you sew."
"I don't." Blade said. "Maru does."
Maru rolled his eyes and Nick laughed at his expression.
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Finally we made it back home to Propwash Junction. The Piston Peak firefighters flew in behind us, the Smokejumpers riding in Cabbie per the usual. Even Maru, Pulaski, and his assistant made the trip Ryker had already arrived, allowing the aircraft to land at the airport. The TMST agent planned to check their progress and make the final decision at the beginning of the festival.
Crow and I waved when we spotted Skipper, Sparky, Mayday, Chug, and Dottie out on the runway. The second Dusty's tires hit the runway; we jumped off and bounced up to our 'family' to say hi.
"Whoa Mayday!" Dusty gasped happily. "I barely recognize you!" Indeed, Dottie's modifications really paid off. Mayday didn't even wear his glasses.
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A few hours passed. The time of the aerial performance grew closer. We received a second surprise from the Air Attack team: an offer to perform for the Propwash residents. We agreed of course.
Finally, Ryker called everyone together and to make the announcement. We stood beside him, the Piston Peak team standing by mostly for moral support.
"In accordance with CFR title fourteen, volume three, chapter one, section 139, sub-paragraph B, Propwash Junction is recertified and open for operation!" Ryker announced. The entire town cheered, relieved to no end.
"Hey Dusty, girls!" Chug called excitedly as he came up. "I won, I won! Guess what? I've been crowned official Corn Colonel!"
"And I'm his Private Niblet!" Sparky added happily, rolling up beside him.
"Can I wear my official hat to your race next Saturday?" Chug asked.
"Absolutely, Chug." Dusty nodded. "As long as the boss here will give us the day off."
"Anytime." Mayday assured.
"Okay, Niblet! Time to hit the festival!" Chug announced, driving off towards the stadium for the aerial performance. Everyone else began following, excited to see the show.
"Dusty, girls, we're all so proud of you two." Mayday said as he and his new firefighters hung back.
"Thanks, Mayday." Dusty said gratefully.
"What you did for me, for all of us," Mayday looked like he tried really hard to not choke up. "I want to thank you."
"You don't have to thank us." Dusty said.
"Yes, yes, I do." Mayday said. "To do what you did….it takes a special kind of plane. And no small amount of bravery on your part, girls."
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Everyone in the bleachers set up near the runway watched excitedly as they waited for the show to start.
Chug nodded. "Ladies and gentleplanes, turn your attention to the skies for today's aerial presentation. The Propwash Junction Corn Festival is proud to present the Piston Peak Air Attack team and our very own world champion racers and firefighters Dusty Crophopper, Ashley Jakins and Crow Patterson!"
The Smokejumpers leaped out of Cabbie, leaving trails of water in their wake before deploying their chutes and beginning to float down towards the ground. We led the way as we, Blade, Nick, Windlifter and Dipper came up towards the runway, where several ramps waited. Blade and I exchanged smiles before the aircraft split up. Dipper, Blade, Nick and Windlifter pulled ahead first, dropping water from their tanks to the amazement of the crowd. Once the Smokejumpers reached their dropping points, they slid down the half pipes and ramps and began performing tricks alongside each other. I half-expected them to crash into one another, but it seemed all their practice out on the base paid off as the ground team performed gracefully and skilfully. We came up last, the two speeding along and Dusty pushing his engine deep into the red. He smiled when the alarm on his panel remained silent, and he looked to see his friends smiling proudly at him.
Dusty shot off, turning up and looping around in the air. At the top of his loop, I activated my curse mark and stood up holding onto Dusty's canopy. Crow yelled something out.
The team banked around to pass Blade, Dusty pulling up last and dropping his load of water. I flung a wave of water out as we finished the performance.
THE END