Aviation (AiE Short)

>The large barn echoes with the clinking of metal and tightening of bolts.
>You dig your arms down further, almost elbow-deep into the engine, making what are hopefully the final adjustments.
>Big Mac watches from a small distance.
>His hooves and face are coated in engine grease and oil, as are your own arms, hands, and face.
>He yawns.
>It's been a late night.
>With one last crank of your wrench, you lift out your arms and wipe your hand across your forehead.
"...Alright. That should be good."
>Big Mac nods, and begins to walk over.
>You pull out your once-white cloth and wipe down your hands.
>"D'ya think ya finally got it?" he asks, peering at the engine block.
>You close down the hood and nod.
"I hope so."
>You put your cloth back into your back pocket and move away slowly from the front of the machine, walking around the side.
>Months of close-but-no-cigars and failed start-ups have made you wary.
>But you haven't given up hope.
>You duck under the two protruding wings from the side and peer over into the cockpit.
>The familiar knobs and gauges greet you.
"Alright..."
>You say, reaching toward the ignition.
"Let's see if this old crop duster can still purr for me."
>Big Mac smiles.
"Can you give the propeller a push for me, buddy?"
>He nods, and places his hoof on one of the blades. "Eeyup."
"Alright, ready?"
>"Eeyup."
>You start up the biplane, the engine vibrating the entire machine and giving a low growl.
>Big Mac simultaneously pushes down hard on the propeller, assisting in the start up.
>It spins for a little bit, sputtering an odd noise, then stopping.
>Mac reaches again with both hooves and cranks down as hard as he can.
>The propeller spins once more, but this time, it catches.
>It begins to spin on its own; quickly, rapidly, blurring the blades til you can't tell which is which.
>The entire plane moves with a healthy vibration.
>The barn contains and multiplies the sound of the machine's low rumble.
>As you lean into the cockpit, you smile.
>A feeling of joy and success wells up inside your chest.
>You lean out with a big grin on your face, give Big Mac a look, and raise your arms up in the air.
"...We did it!"
>He hops up a bit and stomps his hoof to the ground.
>"Yee-haw! And it's about time, too!"
>Your smile could split your face in half.
>Finally... after all of these months...
>After the damage your poor crop duster took when you arrived in this magical land...
>You can fly once more.
>You peek back into the cockpit.
>The fuel gauge catches your eye.
>It's only a little above halfway full.
>...
>You quickly reach in and shut the old bird down.
>The propeller sputters a bit before slowing to a stop.
>The growl spirals quieter and quieter until the barn is settled again in silence.
>You back away from the craft and admire it.
>...You breathe in deep, then let out a content sigh.
>Big Mac walks up and joins you in your admiration.
"...Thanks, buddy."
>You finally say.
"I couldn't have done this without your help, or your space here."
>He nods.
>"Anythin' for a friend."
>You smile, then walk out to the entrance of the barn.
>As you observe the beautiful night sky, complimented by Luna's full moon, you pull out your cloth once more and wipe your face down.
>The open sky seems so endless...
>Big Mac again joins you.
>"...Ya think she'll be excited?"
>You look down to him, then smile, laughing a little bit.
"She'll be ecstatic."
>You give your plane a quick glance.
"She's been waiting for this forever. Since I got here. Wanting it so bad... hell, probably more than me."
>He nods.
"I'll have to tell her first thing in the morning."
>Big Mac laughs.
>"Tell? Why not just show?"
>You wipe your hands a little more, then hand the cloth to Mac.
>He nods in thanks, and begins wiping down his hooves.
"Like a surprise...?"
>You think for just a moment.
"...Yeah. Yeah, that sounds even better."
>Big Mac smiles, then hands your cloth back.
>"Good. Now go git some shut-eye, Anon. Ya got a big, exciting day ahead of ya tomorrow."
>You let out a breathy laugh.
"I sure do."

>8:30 am.
>Your alarm starts buzzing loudly, signaling your waking.
>You sit up in bed and take a deep breath, then reach over and shut it off.
>Absorbing the morning for a bit, you gaze outside at the beautiful, sun-lit landscape.
>A smile graces your lips.
>It's going to be a great day.
>You throw your covers off and stretch your legs out, then stand up on your feet.
>Better hurry.
>Rainbow Dash will be here in about half an hour.
>You quickly get dressed, finding an appropriate shirt and pair of pants to don for the day.
>You scope out your leather flight cap and flight goggles and store them in your bag, throwing it over your shoulder.
>The wooden stairs of your house thump as you climb down, then scurry to the kitchen and grab some breakfast.
>You throw a pot of coffee on, and by the time you just finish your meal, you have a cup of black gold to idly sip on.
>The caffeine only seems to add to your anticipation as you sit down at your table, waiting.
>...
>9:00 am, on the dot.
>A knock is heard at your door.
>You smile, placing your cup down and walking over to the source.
>You swing the door open.
>There she is, Rainbow Dash, greeting you in the morning as she almost always does.
>She sees your happy demeanor and smiles.
>"Hey Anon," she announces happily, "you seem real upbeat today."
>You laugh a little through your nose and nod.
"Yeah, I think today's going to be a pretty special day."
>She grins.
>"Oh yeah? I do too. I have, like, four new moves to show you! I've been working on them all week!"
"That so?"
>You say nonchalantly, adjusting your backpack for comfort.
>She nods.
>"Yeah! So, wanna head over to the field now?"
>You drum your fingers against your doorframe, poking your tongue into the side of your cheek.
"Mmm... in a bit. I need to stop by Sweet Apple Acres for something real quick. Want to tag along?"
>She spreads her wings and takes to the air.
>"Sure. Let's not take too long though, I'm already all warmed up!"
>You close the door behind you and begin walking.
>Rainbow Dash hovers at your speed next to you.
"Oh, I don't think it'll be too long."
>You two make idle chat as you walk through town.
>The other p0nies up bright and early smile and wave at you two as you pass by.
>It isn't long before you find the path down to Applejack and Big Mac's farm.
>You two snake down it, and soon, the endless sea of apple trees are in sight.
>Your eyes fall to the big, red, Apple family barn.
>Big Mac is already up, doing some miscellaneous farm work and rearranging some equipment.
>He spots you two coming from a distance.
>You can see his smile from here.
>Your chest is starting to well up with excitement once again.
>"So what are we getting from here, anyway?" Rainbow Dash asks.
>You try to hide your smile.
"Oh, I bought some apples yesterday, but I'm only picking them up now."
>She nods slowly, but squints her eyes a bit when she notices you two approaching the barn.
>"Hey... isn't your machine stored in there?"
>Your facial muscles give, and your smile broadens across your face.
>You don't respond, opting to keep walking.
>Dash looks at your face and pouts.
>"Hey! What's so funny? What are you actually doing?"
>You close in on the barn, and Big Mac gives a wave with his hoof.
>"G'morning, Anon. Hiya Rainbow Dash," he greets.
>You wave back.
"Good morning, Mac."
>Dash flutters next to you, confusion on her face.
>"Y'all ready?" he asks, beginning to unlock the barn.
>You laugh a little.
"Yeah, I think we're ready."
>He nods, and grips the door in his teeth, pulling it open.
>"Anon," Dash begins, "honestly, what is going on? Why are you--"
>She cuts herself off when the door finally opens completely.
>Your old crop duster is in full view, completely repaired and ready to fly.
>Dash's mouth gapes.
>You and Big Mac look at each other and smile.
>"A-Anon... Is that your machine?"
>You cross your arms and laugh.
"Sure is."
>She zips into the barn and starts inspecting it all over, at a rapid pace.
>"B-But the wing here! It was completely demolished!"
"We fixed it."
>You say, walking in with her.
>"And... and the engine! You said it would take half a year to finish!"
"We found a way."
>"The rust! The giant scratches and holes in the side! They're all... all--"
"All gone."
>You pat your old bird a few times.
>You look Dash in the eyes.
"We did it, Dash. She's all fixed up."
>Her eyes begin to well over.
>"Does... does that mean that we can... that you and I can..."
>You gaze deeper at her, a broad smile completely overtaking your face.
"She's all ready to fly."

>The excitement on her face was absolutely priceless.
>Ever since you first crash-landed in Equestria, she's wanted to fly with you.
>To share the sky together, to see how your people have actually modified themselves to do things they normally can't.
>Fixing your plane was originally in your own interests.
>It evolved into a hobby, almost.
>But the last few months of working on it... they've been for her.
>You push the back of your plane as hard as you can, getting out into the open field the Apples have.
>Applejack and Big Mac pull with ropes from the front, and the plane slowly makes progress to the makeshift runway.
>Applebloom and Granny Smith watch from afar with interest.
>Time to see what the hunk of junk taking up their barn space is for.
"Alright, here should be good!"
>You call.
>Mac and Applejack look to you and nod, then drop their ropes.
>They untie it from your plane as you place your bag down onto the ground.
>You pull out your flight goggles and snap them onto your face.
>Ahh... it's been too long.
>You take your flight cap out and do the same.
>Rainbow Dash flies circles above you in excitement.
>"Are you almost ready!?"
>You look up to her and smile.
"Just about."
>You walk over to your plane and open the cockpit.
>You climb in and close the door, securing yourself in safely.
>You look over to Big Mac.
>He smiles, already knowing what to do.
"Alright, we're ready to get started!"
>Applebloom, Applejack, and Granny Smith all cheer from their spot.
>Rainbow Dash lands back to the ground next to your plane.
>You ready yourself, physically and mentally, and hover your hand over the ignition.
>Big Mac places his hooves on the propeller.
"Alright... let's go!"
>You press the ignition.
>Big Mac pushes down the propeller with all his might.
>The engine catches it, and the propeller begins spinning rapidly, beautifully just like last night.
>The plane hops a bit and vibrates, the engine growling perfectly.
>Rainbow Dash smiles.
>You take a deep breath, then exhale.
>You look out to the vast, straight land ahead of you.
>Perfect...
>Your eyes trail down to the fuel gauge.
>In the same spot as before.
>Your eyes linger on it, and you give a soft sigh.
>You'll worry about that when it comes.
>You give the old biplane some gas, and the mass of metal begins to slowly roll forward.
>Rainbow Dash hops in excitement and begins trotting next to it, matching its movement.
>The engine purrs a little louder as you gain speed, rolling at a nice pace down the flat surface.
>Rainbow Dash's trot turns into a run.
>You continue accelerating, bumping and swaying a bit in the cockpit as your wheels run over rocks or dip into uneven surfaces.
>You're going very fast.
>She's full-on galloping beside you now.
>When you've hit the optimum speed, you pull up.
>You can feel the force push you back softly into the seat of your plane.
>Your craft tilts upward, the air catching underneath its wings, and you begin to lift up into the air.
>The engine bellows its entire cry now: a high-pitched, growl-like roar that radiates throughout the sky.
>Your p0ny flight companion takes off with you, her own wings carrying her into the air.
>The plane continues to climb, crossing over apple trees and pulling leaves off as the air sucks past them.
>The landscape broadens around you, and the land grows lower and lower.
>Everything starts to get smaller.
>Blue begins to surround you.
>You look over to your right, spotting the cyan p0ny.
>She's focused, but smiling, staring right ahead.
>She tilts her head to meet you.
>Your eyes lock.
>The cool wind barrels past your face, whipping into your clothes and dancing around your limbs.
>It does the same to Dash's mane, the mess of rainbow colors spiraling beautifully around her head.
>You give her a happy nod, then return your focus ahead of you.
>You're plenty high in the sky now, so you begin to bank to the right.
>Your craft tilts, shifting the landscape ahead of you sideways from your perspective, and you begin to turn.
>Rainbow Dash matches this movement, turning in synch with you.
>The miniscule town of P0nyville crawls into your sight.
>You smile, and stop your turn, straightening back out.
>The blue mare follows, but, once you're on a normal path again, breaks off and begins spiraling around your biplane.
>She leaves a rainbow trail that corks around you.
>You let your eyes wander for a moment to observe its beauty.
>She catches onto this, smiling at you, before zipping back up and above you.
>She lands on the top of your plane, just in between the two wings, and lies down.
>You crack a smile.
>The town grows closer.
"Hey!"
>You call, grabbing her attention.
"How about an aerial tour of P0nyville?"
>She laughs, resting her head onto her hooves.
>"Sounds great! Please, show me!"
>You laugh as well, pulling down on your controls.
>The plane begins to gracefully dip downward towards the town.
>The land around you grows larger, and P0nyville gets closer and closer.
>You pick up some speed as you drop, and Rainbow Dash stands to her hooves, her mouth open and smiling in excitement.
>You smile yourself.
>Despite doing this herself, not to mention much, much faster, she seems to be having a lot of fun.
>The plane continues to drop and pick up speed until it's about 150 feet above P0nyville.
>You can easily make out the buildings and p0nies that walk about them.
>You pull back up, and your aircraft straightens out, soaring above the town.
>The cry of its engine whines and radiates between the buildings and throughout the village.
>All of the p0nies drop what they're doing and look up, gazing with awe and confusion at the flying contraption above them.
>Rainbow Dash cheers loudly as you cross the town, then pull up right as you reach the town's limits.
>You begin your ascent once more.
>"That was amazing, Anon!"
>You laugh and shake your head.
"Oh trust me, you haven't seen anything yet!"
>You continue to climb, as high as before, then just a little higher.
>A ceiling of clouds sits above you, and your plane passes through it, the fluff pushed up onto and then off of your machine.
>Several weather pegasi, about their daily jobs, stop and gaze at the loud machine that flies by them.
>You wave at every awestruck p0ny.
>When you reach the end of the sea of fluff, you dip back down, again dropping and gaining speed.
>When you get a little faster, you pull back up.
"Get ready!"
>You call to your pegasus companion.
>She straightens her wings and takes off to the air once again, gracefully and seamlessly transitioning from on top of your plane to flying beside it.
>You press to the left on your controls, tilting your plane but keeping it level.
>The landscape begins shifting to the side again from your view.
>You can feel the gravity of the planet pulling you toward it, seemingly on your side.
>You keep it going, tilting the plane even further.
>The land soon appears to be upside down, and your head gets slightly lighter.
>You finish up by continuing the tilt, rotating the plane completely around, finishing your slow roll.
>Rainbow Dash zips ahead of you, clapping her hooves together.
>You smile, the cool, fast wind blowing into your face and moving your smiling lips a bit.
>You raise your finger toward her, as if saying "one more."
>You pull up and to the side, moving your craft in a diagonal direction.
>The engine roars as you continue this trend, moving up and to the side, then, flipping upside down, twirling to the other side.
>The entire world shifts around you like a rolling ball.
>You fly upside down, moving to the side, corkscrewing through the air, before moving back down to where you started, leveling out.
>A successful barrel roll.
>You did them all the time back home.
>Dash claps again, then emulates your move, something she's probably done a million times.
>Her rainbow trail corkscrews in the air, leaving a gorgeous, breathtaking path in the sky.
>You grin.
>Moving your plane toward the trail, you begin to follow it, corkscrewing and barrel rolling in its wake, as if following Dash.
>She catches on to this, and you two play in the air for a bit.
>She leaves a trail for you to follow, and you copy her as best as you can with the limitations of your aircraft.
>Soon, she breaks off and slows down, matching your biplane's speed.
>You look to her and smile, and begin another barrel roll.
>She follows the exact opposite way, mirroring your move.
>You spiral together in the air, continuously rolling as you swirl around one another.
>The p0nies on the ground look up in bewilderment and wonder at the mysterious air show put on before them.
>You break off the stunt and level out, flying straight once again.
>Rainbow Dash spirals around your plane, then flies up to the cockpit.
>As the clouds blow past your craft and the wind graces your face, the cyan p0ny sits herself onto your lap.
>"Anon!" she cheers, "This is the most fun I've had in so long!"
>The smile looks beautiful on her face.
>Her eyes are closed happily, in the style of genuine content and joy.
>You smile back, and take one hand off of your controls, petting down her mane.
"It's been a blast!"
>She smiles, and settles into your lap a little more.
>And it has.
>You gaze out to your side, looking down at the far away landscape of Equestria.
>You look ahead, seeing the distant mountain and the city of Canterlot.
>The thin air that you breath... the cool wind against your face...
>It's been so long since you've flown.
>You smile, and let out a content sigh.
>...
>Your eyes trail to your fuel gauge.
>The needle almost sits at E.
>...
>You tap Rainbow Dash on the neck with your finger.
>Her head looks up to meet your eyes.
"We need to head back now."
>You call over the wind.
>Rainbow Dash sighs.
>"Already?" she says disappointedly.
"Afraid so. Will you fly back with me to Sweet Apple Acres?"
>Her mouth curls again into a smile, wiping the sadness from her face.
>She stands up in your lap and stretches her wings, the hops out into the air, acrobatically spinning around your plane.
>You smile. A soft, bittersweet smile.
>You look down to your fuel gauge, just one more time.
"Alright..."
>You mutter to yourself, turning your plane to the right, back towards P0nyville.
"Let's get this thing grounded..."

>As you descend lower toward the ground, the red dots on the apple trees become clearer.
>You can make out the Apple family at the end of the makeshift runway waving toward you.
>You dip the plane lower, keeping it level for a nice, steady landing.
>Rainbow Dash mimics your movements next to you, gliding with her wings toward the ground.
>The runway approaches quickly, and your wheels touch down nicely to the ground.
>Your plane hops a bit, rattling you around in the cockpit, but they place down again softly and properly, and you speed on the level Apple family territory.
>A perfect landing.
>Dash lands next to you and gallops alongside.
>You slow the hunk of metal down as efficiently as you can, at first speeding quite quickly, but by the end, rolling to a nice stop.
>You cease movement right by the Apples, and the clap their hooves together happily and cheer as you switch off the ignition and climb out of your plane.
>"That was amazing, Anon!" Applebloom cheers as you take off your goggles.
>You smile at her, trying not fall over.
>Need to get your land legs back.
>Big Mac walks over and pats the machine he helped repair.
>"Eeyup. Ah'd say it was all worth it."
"Definitely."
>You comment, removing your flight cap.
>Rainbow Dash takes to the air and zips around you, spiraling to the top of your head, then hovering.
>"That was awesome! It was exactly how I imagined that machine would be like!"
>You smile and lean against your plane.
>The poor thing, worked so hard.
>"When can we fly again?" Dash asks in excitement and hurry. "Can we go again tomorrow? Or! We could go again tonight, if you're up for it!"
>Your smile slowly fades from your face as you look to the excited mare.
>The excitement and high in your chest quickly whittles down.
>She grins widely, but her own happiness mellows when she sees your change in expression.
>You sigh, then look over to Big Mac.
>He as well has stopped smiling.
>You look to his eyes.
>...He nods.
>...
"Dash..."
>You start, rounding around your plane to the cockpit once more.
"...I'm afraid there isn't going to be another time."
>Her expression doesn't change, but she looks to you, her magenta eyes slowly moving back and forth between your own two eyes.
>"...Wh... What do you mean...?"
>Big Mac closes his eyes, then leaves the plane, returning to his family.
>You pat your aircraft, a solemn mood suddenly overtaking you.
"...That was my plane's first and only Equestrian voyage..."
>Rainbow Dash slowly flutters toward you.
"...She won't be flying again."
>She looks over your plane.
>"What's wrong...? Is it... is it damaged somewhere?"
>She examines the outside, the wings, the propeller.
>"B-But you can repair it, right? You and Big Mac can--"
"No, Dash, it isn't the plane itself."
>She looks to you and hovers over.
>She peers over your shoulder, and you lean into the cockpit, tapping the fuel gauge.
>It sits completely on E.
"It's what goes inside it."
>Her face hangs stoic.
>"I don't... I don't understand..."
>You sigh.
"My biplane needs fuel, Dash. Only a specific kind of fuel will allow it to fly."
>You look over to Big Mac.
>He's happily chatting with his family.
>Trying to avert them from your conversation with Dash.
"Mac and I tried to find an alternative, but... nothing worked."
>Rainbow Dash lowers herself to the ground, then sits.
>Her eyes begin to water as she stares downward..
"I just used the last of the fuel I had with me from Earth."
>She looks up to you, her lip beginning to slowly quiver.
>"Then... Then why did you waste it? Why just mess around in the air doing tricks?"
>She lays her head down.
>"...Now we'll never fly together again..."
"Hey, hey,"
>You say, walking over and sitting down beside her.
>You pat her back.
"I didn't waste my fuel. Not in any way."
>Her eyes slowly rise to meet yours.
"Flying in the air once more, after so long... sharing the sky with you, interacting as we maneuvered together..."
>You smile.
>It's so bittersweet...
"It's about the best way I could think to use it."
>She closes her eyes, trying to conceal her emotions.
>She sniffs, then places her head on your lap.
>You place your hand on her back and begin to pet, looking at your old crop duster.
>You let out a breathy laugh.
"The old bird may never fly again... but her last flight was a damn fun one."
>Rainbow sniffs again, then snuggles into you a little more.
>"...Th-Thanks for sharing your final flight with me, Anon..."
>You laugh, then rustle her mane.
>She playfully flinches and looks up to you.
>Her tears are juxtaposed by the smile on her face.
>You return it.
"...Now come on. I believe you had some tricks to show me, didn't you?"
>She wipes her eyes with a hoof, then nods happily.
>"Uh-huh. Come on, let's go to the usual field."
>She widens her wings and takes to the air.
>You sit yourself back up and stretch.
>You glance over to your trusty airplane...
>And smile.
"Thanks, old bird."
>You then turn around, and begin your walk to the field with Rainbow Dash.

The End