**AN: Hey guys, here to start my next chapter of NCSM. FYI, the song is playing in my head right now lol. I hope you enjoy my next chapter; any feedback would be appreciated. To put it out there, no stealing my ideas (without my permission) and no flames. If you do not like what I write, DON'T READ IT! I write purely for fun 😊 I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Planes or Cars franchise, just my OCs (no stealing) lol.
(italics mean calls over the radio)
CHAPTER 6
This was it, the day they had been waiting for, the rest of their lives…
…so to speak, they still had yet to take off to the starting line.
By that, I mean the anxious crop duster-slash-racer awaiting take off. His navigator was (in his mind) taking too long in piling her stuff on board, despite her only needing a single suitcase and toolbox.
"Come on Sky, I'm already to go!" Dusty cried, shaking in anticipation.
"Hold your horses partner," Sky called back to the anxious crop duster, "I'm almost done!"
Just as Sky closed the hatch on Dusty's cargo bin, she turned to the old corsair and her surrogate female role models.
Bella and Dottie stood there, half asleep with tears in their eyes. Sky looked at both and gave each a respective hug and kiss, showing her appreciation for their support.
"You go kick some butt, little sister," Bella remarked, clutching on to Sky for dear life. Sky mumbled an 'I will' amidst the squeeze, which she then broke to turn to Dottie.
"I never fully approved of you doing this," Dottie belted out, "but I wish you all the best, no matter what!"
Dottie barely got out her sentence before Sky engulfed her in a big hug, Dottie responding in kind as best as her forks would allow.
"I love you too, mom," Sky murmured out, pulling away from Dottie's embrace. The said forklift could barely hold back the flood looking at her human adopted daughter.
She then turned to Skipper, who held a look of pride and nervousness in his eyes.
"Good luck kid," Skipper belted out, "you're gonna need it."
Sky responded with a hug and kiss for him as well.
"Thanks Dad," Sky responded, "I couldn't have done this without you."
Skipper was met with the feel of something smooth and metal being clipped to the side of his face.
"A little something to remind you of how much you mean to me," Sky remarked, turning to her partner to mount up. As soon as she was buckled into her seat, she gave a thumbs up to the lot as the hatch closed and they started speeding down the runway.
Just after the pair took off to New York, Bella and Dottie returned to the shop to open for the day ahead. Skipper remained rooted to his spot, curious as to what Sky had pinned to his person. Looking to Sparky, he gestured for him to wheel him back to the hangar. Sparky quickly wheeled him back, then proceeded to retire saying he needed a nap. Skipper gave him the go ahead and went to look in a small mirror to inspect Sky's going-away present. What he saw both warmed his heart and made a mountain of guilt set in his stomach.
Staring back at him in the mirror was nothing special, just a small bronze medal with the words 'World's Best Dad' imprinted on it. It warmed his heart to know just how much Sky thought of him. But at the same time, it worried him.
Just what would she think of him if she found out the truth?
It was nightfall when Dusty and Sky were cruising over the NYC skyline. Sky could not take her eyes off the scenery. The glimmering lights of the NYC skyline bouncing off the Hudson River had enraptured the novice navigator.
"Oh, Dusty look, it's the Statue of Liberty," Sky radioed to Dusty, gazing at the wonderful sights below.
"Yeah, it looks amazing, Sky," Dusty radioed back, "I can barely concentrate on anything else."
"Me either," Sky radioed back, still caught up in the fog of a vision other than corn and grass.
Their quiet flight was broken by the crackling of the radio.
Air racer number 7, air racer number 7, do you read, Kennedy approach, over
Sky immediately dialed into the radio, responding to the call.
Kennedy approach, this is SkyCrop-7, roger, go ahead
"Dusty, we're about to land, be prepared for my orders," Sky called to Dusty.
"Got it partner, keep me informed," Dusty called back, eager to touch down. Just then the radio crackled back to life.
SkyCrop-7, report to Carnice visual, turn further left heading 195, maintain 1000 feet, intercept the 22 right localizer, do you read
SkyCrop-7 to Kennedy approach, roger wilco, please state approaching runway, over
Kennedy approach to SkyCrop-7, you are cleared for the ILS 22, right approach, heavy is sectored in behind you, affirmative
SkyCrop-7 to Kennedy approach, roger wilco, heading 195 to ILS 22, on approach, over and out
With that last transmission, Sky relayed the message to Dusty and guided him along to the runway to JFK airport. They made the landing just fine, but Dusty stayed on the runway a few more seconds to admire the smooth pavement…much to the chagrin of air traffic control. It took Sky's desperate screams to alert Dusty to the incoming Boeing 757 right on their heels. Letting out a scream of his own, Dusty cleared the runway and jumped to the side just in time.
"That…was way too close," Sky managed to croak out, "we are NOT doing that again!"
Dusty winced at Sky's harsh tone, though he couldn't blame her. That incident terrified him too, and he made a silent promise to remember to look next time.
"Yeah, yeah, I agree," Dusty spurted out in between deep breaths, "now let's find Pit Row."
Coming off the runway, Dusty was met with a mess of planes and forklifts and other human personnel going in all directions doing their day-to-day jobs. The two were totally lost in the massive crowd and then spotted a baggage tug and his human partner loading luggage from off a plane. Dusty and Sky then proceeded to make their way over for directions.
"Excuse me, we're looking for Pit Row, can you tell us where that is?" Dusty asked. Both vehicle and human turned in response to the question. The guy was opening his mouth to speak, but the tug cut him off.
"Oh, the pits?" the baggage tug questioned, "well, what you wanna do is…"
He then proceeded to yammer out several things at once that left both Sky and Dusty with their mouths hanging open in confusion. Sky opened the hatch to jump and sit on Dusty's wing, trying to get the tug's attention with no luck. Luckily, his human partner saved the day, cutting off the tug with a friendly firm pat.
"Just go straight ahead to the right," the guy answered, throwing a thumbs up behind his head pointing the way.
"Oh, thanks bud, we owe you one," Sky called out in relief.
"No problem, good luck in your race!" the guy called back, the baggage tug just giving a sigh and getting back to work.
"Buddy, we seriously need to work on your communication skills," the baggage guy claimed.
"What! My communication skills are off the hook!" the baggage tug fought back.
His partner just gave a chuckle, getting back to work throwing another suitcase into the rack.
A minute later, Dusty finally pulled up to Pit Row, greeted by the same referee from the preliminaries.
"Oh, look who it is, the Scandinavian," the referee called in a sarcastic tone, "missing your hometown already?"
Dusty could only stammer out a yeah, before the referee made some comment about 'blocking it out of his mind'.
"Yeah, yeah, we're all laughing," Sky answered back sarcastically, "now, where might our tent be located, sir?"
"Last one on the right for the plane, and the hotel for the navigators is just a little way down," the referee explained, "if you will grab your stuff, the bus to take you there sits at the back."
Sky gave a thanks, pulling her duffel out of Dusty's cargo bin. As they were leaving the referee called out again.
"Power wash is on the right! I can still smell that nasty Vita-mina-stank a'bunch!"
Sky turned back to give a quick dirty look, making the referee go silent fast. Dusty did not notice, too busy looking around in amazement. Sky then turned and proceeded to speed walk, not wanting to let her partner get too ahead of her.
"Mental note: do not piss off the cornfield spit fire," the referee mumbled under his breath, turning back to his clipboard.
"Oh ho ho, Sky, just look at them all, real big time pro racers!" Dusty belted out, the happiness in his voice so infectious it immediately erased Sky's irritation from the referee.
"Yeah, and now we're gonna make our mark as pro racers too," Sky responded, she too looking around at all the planes. Just then, something caught Dusty's eye and he sped over to it, leaving his partner to catch up.
"Oh wow, Bulldog, from the European Cup?! The big dog!" Dusty belted out in admonishment pulling up to said planes tent. The a de Havilland DH. 88 Comet in all his glory was now staring with a look of detest at the loud voice that was disrupting his peace. The small forklift behind him that was dunking a bag of tea into a cup was giving the same look.
"Oh, yes…hello," Bulldog let out, Dusty not noting his unfriendly tone.
"Oh wow, you're right Dusty!" Sky remarked in astonishment as well, "We are such big fans of yours, it's an honor to meet you."
"Oh jolly good, so wonderful to meet you miss," Bulldog said to Sky, "such wonderful manners, what brings you to these parts?"
Sky giggled and responded, "yes, thank you Bulldog, me and my partner Dusty are going to be racing with you in the rally."
Bulldog responded with a look of confusion and distaste.
"Oh, you mean this chap is your racing partner?"
"Yes sir, Dusty is my partner and very good friend," Sky answered, happily gesturing to Dusty with a friendly tap of her elbow.
"Now Bulldog, when were you going to introduce me?" another British male voice called out.
Sky and Dusty turned to the noise to see a young man about Sky's age and height. He had been sitting in the back of the tent enjoying a cup of tea with the forklift. He then stood up from his chair to walk up around his partner to the newcomers. His perfectly golden colored hair was combed to the side, highlighting his bright blue eyes. He was donned in a pair of tailored tan dress pants and a pristine white button up. The whole outfit was tied together with a tan waistcoat and shiny loafers which gleamed with each step.
His lithe form seemed to glide as he took the few steps to reach Sky and Dusty.
Bulldog gave out a slight gasp, one could see it was in jest.
"Oliver, perish the thought," Bulldog chuckled, "ah yes, introductions are in order."
Bulldog turned to Sky and Dusty, "Miss Sky and…uh…what did you say your name was?"
"Its Dusty," Dusty responded, Sky noting the slight note of condescension in his voice.
"Yes, Dusty, this young lad is my navigator, Oliver Tate."
Oliver responded with a gentlemanly bow, taking Sky's hand in his, planting a deft soft kiss to her knuckles. Sky barely noted letting her duffel bag drop to the floor as her cheeks took on a rosy hue at the gentlemanly gesture.
"Enchanting to meet you, Miss Sky," Oliver responded, then turning and saying his greetings to Dusty.
Sky mentally shook her head, not wanting to show how flustered she was at Oliver's greeting. Though she could still feel the warmth in her cheeks.
Clearing her throat, Sky responded with, "yes, it's a pleasure to meet you too."
"Yes, it is," Oliver said, "I was just about to leave for the hotel once I finish my tea, would you care to accompany me?"
"Sure, that would be great," Sky responded, leaning down to pick up her duffel.
Dusty was sometimes naïve, but he could see that Oliver was clearly turning up the charm. He knew for a fact that Audie had feelings for Sky, and he could almost swear that Sky did too… she just wasn't aware. To break the tension, Dusty decided to put his two-sense in.
"Hey Bulldog, Oliver, I saw you guys do this unbelievable high-G vertical turn," Dusty interrupted, catching the attention of their small party, "how did you guys do that?"
Put off by Dusty's forwardness, Oliver decided to let Bulldog answer the question.
"Oh well, I could tell you," Bulldog bragged, "in fact, I could tell you all our racing secrets!"
"Really?" Dusty exclaimed.
"Nooo!" Bulldog fired back, "look, I don't know how things work in the back water from whence you hail matey, but this is a competition, every plane for himself! Goodbye."
Dusty pulled back at Bulldog's abrasive tone, causing Sky's protective instincts to kick in. She saw Oliver's cup of hot tea he was still holding, and an idea came to her.
"My apologies Oliver, but may I see that?" Sky asked in an overly sweet voice, pointing to the cup.
Oliver looked at Sky and said with a smile, "oh, yes, here you go."
No sooner did Sky have the cup in her hand that she threw the lukewarm tea in Bulldog's face. Oliver, Bulldog and Dusty just stared in shock at Sky's audacity. Sky then handed the cup back to Oliver, thanking him and turning to walk away.
Sputtering, Bulldog shouted, "What…what did you do that for?"
Sky gave him a nasty look and said in a mocking British tone, "I don't know how things are done in the back water from whence you hail, matey, but anyone that talks down to my friends must deal with me!"
With that, Sky nodded to Dusty for them to go, Dusty quickly following behind.
Sky's bad mood was coming back, evident in her stomping as she walked. Dusty then wheeled up in front of her.
"Hey Sky," she looked up to meet her partner, "you know I love that you always stick up for me, right?"
"Well, someone's gotta put the bullies in their place, right?"
"Yeah, I know," Dusty said exasperated, "but if you keep acting like that, people aren't going to think you're a nice person."
"What?" Sky said, taken aback.
"Remember what Skipper said, 'sometimes the best thing you can do is to just walk away'," Dusty explained, "you're my best friend, and my partner, and I want you to make lots of friends while we're here. I don't want to see you get a bad rep cause you keep pushing it too far."
Sky took a deep breath, acknowledging that Dusty did have a point. She was always going guns blazing whenever she felt her family was under attack. Her protectiveness was endearing, but it did get her into a bit of trouble.
"Besides, how am I gonna learn to stand up for myself if I have you fight all my battles for me?"
Sky chuckled at that last remark, looking up at her partner with a smile.
"Ok ok, I conceded," Sky said, mock bowing to Dusty, "I shall try to reign in my temper."
"Awesome, Sky, now let's get to the -oh!"
While Dusty had been giving his response, he had backed up to turn around and had knocked into a forklift carrying a bunch of oil cans. Sky chuckled at her partner's antics, already bending down to help the forklift pick up the fallen cans.
While Dusty stammered out an apology, he had almost run into another plane that was coming down the runway. Dusty's recognition at the plane's identity had him flustered this time.
"Oh, I'm sorry those are Aeroshell 100, I ordered the DT-2380, my bad!" Dusty babbled out.
The plane chuckled in response, as did the human woman sitting on her right wing.
"Are you alright?" the plane asked.
"Did you hurt yourself?" the woman asked.
"Oh no, no I'm fine, thanks for asking, sorry you had to see that," Dusty stammered out again.
That last comment sent both plane and human into a fit of giggles. This caught Sky's attention, who decided to come save her partner after having finished cleaning up the spilt oil cans.
"Hey Dusty, would you please introduce me to your new friends?" Sky asked, breaking the tension.
Silently thanking her, Dusty belted out, "Yes, these two are the Pan Asian Champions and Mumbai Cup record holders, Ishani and Hira."
Chuckling once more, Ishani responded with, "yes, but most people just call me Ishani."
"Yes, and most just call me Hira," Hira said, sliding off Ishani's wing. Hira was a tall lithe woman in her early 30s. She had dark smooth skin and a heart shaped face. Her full bodied dark brown hair was tamed at the top by a cream-colored turban. The dangling jade earrings she wore accented her soft brown eyes. Her outfit consisted of a traditional sari the same color as her turban, gold bangles and brown leather sandals.
Sky walked up to the two, shaking Hira's hand and Ishani's wing in greeting. As she did so, Dusty replied with, "and I'm Dusty…well my name is Dusty, not that I'm Dusty, I'm quite clean."
Sky bit down on her lip to not laugh as Ishani responded, "well, it's nice to meet you 'quite-clean Dusty'."
"Nice to meet you too," Dusty smoothly let out.
With that last word, Ishani turned to Hira, "I'm going to head to the tent for the night, you should get to the hotel."
"Yes, I think I will, goodnight Ishani," Hira called back as Ishani wheeled down the row.
"Sky, I will see you at the hotel," Hira bid farewell as she turned to walk to the bus stop.
Sky waved back, promising to have a chat once she got there. Sky looked out of the corner of her eye to see Dusty staring after the modified AeroCanard FG. She held back her giggles at Dusty muttering about admiring Ishani's propeller.
"See something you like?" Sky teased.
Dusty attempted to stammer out a response, but then saved himself when he pointed out a competitor they both knew. Dusty then bumped Sky with his wing, motioning her to follow him. Sky was curious where he was leading her until she looked up. There in front of them was a big green stage marked 'Sky Slycer Mark 5'. On front of the stage was Ripslinger himself, his team working to buffer his already shiny paint job. Just to the side of Ripslinger on stage, was Ripslinger's navigator, Tyson. He was shirtless, donned in only a pair of exercise pants. He was busy at work lifting weights and working up a sweat, his muscles bulging with each motion. Dusty and Sky made their way to the front, passing a few planes gawking at the two on stage. Just then Ripslinger took note of the two newcomers.
"Hey, look who made it, it's the crop duster," Ripslinger said, "and his spit fire of a navigator."
"Ugh, thanks," Sky and Dusty responded together, not knowing quite what to say to that.
"Hey Tyson, get over here!" Ripslinger called out.
Tyson responded by putting the weight down and grabbing a towel, wiping his sweat as he sauntered over. Just as Tyson laid his eyes on Sky, he smirked and calmly stepped off the stage to walk up to her.
"Hey cutie, how's it going?" Tyson crooned, getting a little too close for Sky's taste. Oliver's greeting was gentlemanly, Tyson was just a little too overt.
"Doing fine, and you?" Sky let out, leaning her head back for some breathing room.
"Doing better now that you're here," Tyson put out, turning on his charm, "much better."
"Ugh…" Sky stammered out, now feeling very uncomfortable.
Noticing his partner's discomfort, Dusty broke the moment with, "well, it was nice to see you guys, but we gotta head to the tent."
"Yeah, what my partner said," Sky let out, physically backing up now, "see ya."
Just as Dusty and Sky were leaving, Ripslinger called out, "Oh, leaving so soon, farm boy?"
"Sorry for the short talk, see you in the race," Dusty replied, trying to end the conversation.
"You know, having you two here is a nice interest story," Tyson said, "Right partner?"
Dusty turned back, keeping Sky close, and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"Yeah, I can see the headlines now, 'small town farmer makes it to the big time…'" Ripslinger announces.
Thinking Ripslinger was being nice, Dusty started to thank him…
"'But tragically crashes on takeoff'" Ripslinger continues.
Sky and Dusty both stood there, mouths open in shock. To add insult to injury, Tyson continued his partner's headline, this time walking up to wrap his arm around Sky's neck.
"'WOTG winners Ripslinger and Tyson eulogize the unknown hayseeds and scatter their remains over a cornfield!' Ratings will be through the roof!"
With that, both Ripslinger and Tyson burst out in fits of laughter. Sky, now forgetting her nervousness, was steaming with anger. She was tempted to let Tyson have it, but she had just promised Dusty that she would reign in her temper. Taking a deep breath, she decided to go another route. Using her nails, she pinched Tyson's arm, hard. He let go with a grunt, pulling his arm back to rub the new sore spot.
"Hey, what gives?!"
"Don't you know it's rude to invade someone's personal space without permission?!" Sky retorted, Tyson now giving her a hard look.
"Oh, I am so not taking you out now," Tyson threw back in her face, clenching his muscles to make himself look bigger.
"You know, someone once told me that guys and planes who bulk up or preen themselves up too much," Sky fought back, giving a look to Ripslinger as well, "are compensating for some real big, or should I say 'small' insecurities!"
Both Ripslinger and Tyson both gave look of incredulity at the girl who was now loudly laughing at the two, as well as her partner and a few bystanders. Dusty and Sky left the two gawking, now coming across where Dusty's tent was.
"Man Sky, that was awesome!" Dusty exclaimed, "you really let them have it."
"Thanks Dusty, now I'm gonna run to the bus before we have any more drama," Sky finished grabbing her bag to go.
"Here, you look tired, I'll give you a lift," Dusty offered, lowering one of his wings for her to sit on. Sky accepted without question, the day starting to get to her. They were almost at the end of the pits when, yet another round of commotion stopped them. Sky groaned, now just wanting to get to the hotel and sleep for a month.
The source of the commotion was a new plane and human making a show, loudly and dramatically announcing their arrival in Spanish, both finishing with a dramatic pose. Everybody just stared in silence.
"You have never heard of the Great Chupracabra?!" the plane belted out. The Gee Bee Model R plane was donned in a green mask and cape, almost resembling a Mexican wrestler.
"Or the amazing El Diablo?!" the human called out, his thick Mexican accent adding to his flare. This human was a young man in his early 20s, with dark tan skin and sharp lines in his face. He had startling dark brown eyes, almost the same color as his hair. He was dressed as a Mexican matador, complete with cape and a domino mask.
They once again were met with the sound of crickets, until one of the other racers asked, "Ain't that the monster who siphons fuel from small vehicles and that hero from the 50s show?"
"No no, it's just a stage name, amigos," the plane said spinning, landing in yet another dramatic pose, "designed to strike fear into the hearts of my opponents!"
"Yeah, they're the indoor racing champions of all Mexico," Dusty announced to the crowd.
"Indoor racing?" Bulldog asked from his tent, he and his navigator exchanging looks of confusion.
Giving another whoop, both the plane and human in masks started loudly and proudly proclaiming their other careers, such as tela novela stars and romance novelists. The other planes and humans started laughing, especially Oliver and Bulldog.
"Did you El Chupracabra, or El Ku-Ku-cabra?" Bulldog belted out, making the rest of his party burst out in laughter.
The human, now deigned El Diablo, overheard the comment and came to his plane partner's rescue. Approaching Bulldog's tent, El Diablo began to defend his partner's honor.
"You make joke?!" El Diablo yelled, "you make joke?!"
Bulldog and Oliver were stunned for a moment at the young man's response. But El Diablo was not yet done.
"Nobody makes fun of my partner but me! You leave me no choice!" El Diablo yelled out.
"Mi amigo!" El Chupracabra called to his partner, causing El Diablo to turn a glance to him.
"Do not stoop to his level, mi amigo! You are better than this!" El Chupracabra called out, moving to his partner's side. El Diablo took a deep breath, nodding at his partner. Both plane and partner turned at once to the Brits…and swished their capes at them.
"You have been shamed," the two hombres stated, moving along towards their tent.
"I hope I can get over it," Bulldog stated, "oh, I just did!" His statement inciting a laugh from his party.
Seeing the two newcomers moving along, Dusty went after them wanting to introduce himself.
"Hey, El Chupracabra, El Diablo!" the two amigos turned to see Dusty come up alongside them, Sky still riding on Dusty's wing.
"Hola senor, senora," El Diablo greeted, his partner doing the same. Dusty happily said 'hi' back, Sky was too tired to give much of a response but a friendly wave.
"Oh dios mio, senorita," El Diablo spouted out, seeing Sky, "you look so tired, please allow me to escort you to the hotel."
Sky giggled again, responding with, "yeah, that would be awesome, thank you so much!"
"No problema, senorita," El Diablo replied, helping Sky slide off Dusty's wing. El Diablo then proceeded to grab both his and her bag in one arm and offered her his other arm to rest on. Sky happily took his offer, both navigators walking over and getting on the bus. Sky and El Diablo both said goodnight to their respective partners, and then the bus took off finally.
"Hey, please tell your partner that I said thanks," Dusty said to El Chupracabra, "I didn't realize just how tired Sky actually was until now."
"Oh I shall avion pequeno," El Chupracabra replied, "my navigator is a true man through and through, he would never stand by and not help someone in need."
"Thanks again El Chu," Dusty answered, "oh by the way, I saw you race on Telemoto last year, of course it was in Spanish, so I couldn't understand all of it but…"
El Chupracabra laughed responding, "I am flattered amigo, you have done many of these long distance races, no?"
"Nope, this is my first, Sky's first too!"
"Oh, this is my first as well! We will have many adventures you and I, we will laugh, we will cry, we will dance…"
Dusty was lost on words on that last part.
Realizing his mistake, El Chupracabra put in, "but not with each other; though, you think my navigator and yours could dance together?"
Catching on to the Mexican's words, Dusty replied with, "oh no, sorry, Sky is spoken for!"
"Oh, she has an amor?"
"Well, technically yes, but also no, ugh…"
He could see he was confusing his new friend.
"It's complicated, let's put it at that."
"Oh, I see!"
Dusty looked up at El Chu, just as he said, "you like her, no?!"
"What?! Oh no no, Sky's my best friend, I love her like a sister. No, it's actually another good friend of ours who's in love with her."
El Chu awed in understanding, but then asked, "so, how is it complicated?"
"He hasn't yet told her how he feels. It's one of those things where they're really good friends, and everyone but them can see the chemistry between them, but…"
"Oh, and your amigo is afraid that his feelings will be unrequited?"
"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I know she loves him too; she just has never let herself realize it."
"Why do you think that it?"
"She had a terrible thing happen to her as a kid. Since then, she has always feared losing those who she holds dear."
"Well amigo, then you need only to tell her this…"
"What?"
"In life, there is no reward without risk, it is why we all race, to risk it all to come out victorious, to prove to ourselves that we have what it takes. If they wait too long, they will risk losing one another to their fear."
"Thanks, El Chu, I appreciate that."
"Happy to help, mi amigo, buenas noches."
With that the two planes both headed to their respective tents for a good night's sleep. For tomorrow, the Wings Around the Globe Rally would begin!
**AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next time, we start the actual race itself! If you want, please rate and review. I always enjoy reading your comments! But please, no flames! I just do this for fun. See you next time 😊