private Eastern Skies Ablaze

[FancyHorse 1,209]

The arabian pegasus seemed puzzled at the presentation of the map, almost dumbfounded.

 

"Oh dear. If you could exuse me please Ill be right back." In a hurry he exits the tent. The cadets and Razorwing become puzzled themselves. An angry shout could be heard from possibly the pegasi. The language in their own tounge. A bit of conversation insues, Razor peeks out slightly out of curiousity.

"This is defientely the weirdest race event set up Ive been too..." Kris whispered to Star.

 

Shortly the pegasus returns wheeling in a small try filled with booklets and such.

 

"I am terribly sorry!" His tone seemed urgent and geniunely apologetic.

"Seems there was a 'inexcusable' mix up on the information for your preemptive planning. SO I took the liberty to fetch you your accurate info sheets. On these booklets youll find accurate detailing of the mountain tunnel systems and what not. And!-" He exclaims whipping out a large fold out sheet pinningg it to the board.

 

The sheet displays large detailed prints of the mountian tunnels and in 3D perspective images. Along with easy followw routes, dead end locations, drop points and other bits.

 

"Here is the modern accurate information. I am so sorry about this embarrassing hold up." He says. He compossed himself.

 

"I am Amid Kalil, I am your assigned provisions manager. I get your documents, food and other nessecities for your readiness for the event. I assure you the rest of the staff will not make these mistakes for you." He introduces and adds a reassurance.

 

"Well. Im glad you resolved the issue. We appreciate it." Razorwing gave her thanks.

 

"I am happy to help." He bows his head and departs.

 

"Well that fixed our problem." Soar whispered to Star.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Well I'll shush now." She walked back to her seat.

 

"Yeah, problem fixed, that map is well and proper good." Remarking to Soar. She looked at the new maps, she was frankly quite impressed. She went back to looking at Razor. "Well I guess we're good with this map then boss?"

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Razorwing opened the booklet examining the contents. Looking out to the group she points at randomly, at one of the newcomers.

"Cadet! Pass these outs." She says pointing at the booklets she has at her side. Obdiently he grabs the stack handing them amongst his fellow flyers.

"Turn into page 4. Just take a brief look at the main race tunnel." She points at the entry tunnel following it in an upward corner.

"Hmm good quality pictures... nicely lit. Alright so lets go over this. Its gonna be an upward turn-"

 

"Miss Razor?" Soar raised her hoof,

 

"Please dont call me miss. Yes Cadet?" Razor replied,

"Will we be getting a test flight through the course before the race?" She asked.

"Yes we will. After we review the information we'll hydrate and set out. Once thats done we'll head back here, grab some grub and prep for the real event." She says.

Edited August 4, 2016 by IllusivePony

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

Star had a look through the booklet. "These are excellent drawings, I mean everything you could want is in here." She looked to Soar. "Think you can fly this in the dark though?" It was going to be a challenge for the others when it came to the practical side of this exercise.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Did they said itll be partially lit throughout the tunnel course? "She replied.

 

"The course seems to then wind in a left and right motion. Those tunnels will be very sharp so mind your turns. Third they way there'll be an intersection of two crossing paths, follow the right path and thatll at first wind downward but then sharply turn back up. Itll deposit into a large cavernous pocket. You may not see it at first but the exit tunnel will be in the upper left from your entry. The paths are getting sharper in each turn. This next section of tunnels are said to have sagging stalagmites and such. So make sure not to run into them." She says

 

"The tunnels continue about like this almost in a spiraling motion. Its like these worms seem to knew we were gonna race in them." Razor commented.

 

"I say! These tunnels are getting mighty complex I surely some flying equines will be able to use these when I'm a rotting corpse!" Kris again did his Trottingham imitation. Soar again giggled.

 

"Cut the chatter. We're almost done. The spiral straightens outward heading upward near the summit. At this rate give it your all and zip your way out. At that point you'll make your way down the mountian side following along the marked path near the ravine and at the finish line." Razor spoke.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Well we've got a test flight to um make sure we remember which tunnels to use and stuff..." Not quite convinced by her own words. It could quite well take her a dozen goes at this course to remember which ones to fly through.

 

But she had a cunning plan for that if she got lost...

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Alright googles on everypony lets get to it." Razor says, ready and in file the group of cadets stand. Exiting the tent the group make their way out from a side fence gate toward the canyon entrance. Just to the left a distinct rumble could be heard. In formation a squad of fighter packs fly over the canyon, followed behind them two attack craft follow in suit. (( https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Mfb3ec1e686dc28e9023e67c168bd716eo0&pid=15.1Image refrerence))

 

"They just keep coming don't they?" Kris commented.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Yeah... I don't want to stay in the country any longer than needed." She looked down the cayon of where they were going. Then mountain in the distance, not to mention the nets that lined the top of the cayon making escape upwards nearly impossible by the looks of the net.

 

"Why did they net the cayon?" Looking at Kris for an aswer he'd not have.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Preventing cheaters perhaps? I mean it'd be pretty bloody easy to just forgo the canyon and fly straight to the-" He was interupted.

 

"Lets do it Cadets in the canyon!" Razor shouted and jumping to the air wings extended and angling down into the canyon the others following suit.

 

"See ya at the mountian!" Kris patted Star and dived foward, wings at fist folded diving past the first two pegasi and extending leveling out and whosing ahead. Soar had already taken off. Star following soon along.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

Star took off but stayed up as much as she cluld to catch the air currents, much easier for her to glide than fly. After all this was endurance and practice, no need to even bother flying if one could glide and enjoy the view of the cayon.

 

She watched her bolts pull away as they flew but she shrugged, she'd get to the mountain in plenty of time to spare.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Beep Beep!" Ascending next to you, stopping in a stylish role comes Kris.

 

"Quite the sight huh?" He says, talking loudly over the howling wind blown from the heavy gusts into the canyon.

 

Razor and the majority of the Cadets zipped along the lower sections of the canyon zipping past jutted rocks and holes made through the embedded rock. Focused primarly on just quick performance. Not that they aren't acknowledeging it isnt practice just rather enjoying the rush of the race.

 

"Ehhh look at them whipper snappers! Thinking to just mossy through der canyons! Hehe." His acting into an elderly tone.

 

"But in all seriousness... they are taking this seriously hehe." He giggled a bit.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Why aren't you Kris? Your one of the newer lads not gonnna go race Razor?" She looked at the rest below. "They realise the views are up here? Or they want to crash into a rock, end their career?"

 

She shook her head, then shouted to the rest. "This is the endurance legs lads!"

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Ah come on theyre just wanna get a feel for the canyon. You remember your first day huh? They gotta engrain it in your head that speed is everything. Plus we were all kinda cramped onna bus." Kris spoke. A heavy gust pushes him, but its easily brushed off by the thestral. Kris however is blown aback but recovers quickly.

"Phew! Those winds are strong!" He says.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"But you should be down there with them Kris I'm a different flyer to you." Making note of how he was tossed Kris back. "Go on head down there be a new flyer and a pegasus your wings can't take the gusts of wind."

 

She noticed how struggling a little. She banked a little before descending to encourage him to join the others for his own sake.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Come on! I don't wanna just leave you here?" He replied.. But not wanting to disrespect her he dips forward diving into the deepths of the canyon.

 

The canyon stretched onward. Whilst the confident ones raised below ducking and weaving amongst the rock, the less so fly a bit upwards below Star vantage point. Everything was going smoothly. To her left above the net she could see observant eyes. Fellow flyers it seemed. Fans? Other racers? Which be they where watching keenly.

 

For most of the stretch was uneventful. And soon they approached the tunnel entrance. The cadets formed at the entrance near Razorwing. Star landed near the location.

 

"Lets take it slow beyond here everypony. I want you all to pick some to fly with incase we get seperate. Though highly doubt itll be if everypony sticks up in formation."

 

Already by her side Soar and Kris look to her.

 

"Pick whoever you like Star I'm fine with it." Soar spoke.

 

"Same story here." Kris spoke.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

She looked to the two of them, going back and forth a few times. "Um...why don't you both come with me?" Not being able to pick between the pair who seemed to take a proper shine to her. Honestly she wasn't actually sure why they'd actually be interested in her. She wasn't sure if they liked her, wished to be friends or what?

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Kris shrugged, realizing the stupidity of the question.

"More the merrier." He says. Soar simply smiled.

 

Razor spoke up, "Lets get to it!" She called out taking the first step and taking off at a moderate flight, the rest now paired up follow next as with the three. The tunnels seem to be decently lit. Mining lits lining along the length as they progress, a gradual shift between shadows and the next light source. The gentle whoosh of their wings echoing about as they continue.

 

"So far so good it seems." Kris called out.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Yeah, with the lights for you guys and the excellent maps." Following the formation up the tunnels was very easy the route was also quite straight forward. They flew up what seemed the main tunnels or at least the largest and most well lit anyway...

 

That was probably the idea to help ponies find their way through the maze of tunnels.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

They all followed the motions throughout, up, down, left and right. It was rather simple. Then again, they were'nt under pressure due to it being a test flight. They where all as sure going to be sore when the main event begins when in their serious attitude. Soar and Kris followed behind Star in a singular formation.

 

Then came the straight away, the beaming of sunlight along the straight stretch of the final tunnel. The shilloutes of the hanging stalagmites shown ahead as early warning. Bobbing and weaving the cadet team makes it through the gust of wind flowing upon each who zip out from the enclosed space. They're altitude was high on, they vantage upon the event site below. Lights flash upon the stage as a large crowd gathers about. Helicopters aproaching from the horizon ahead. Looks like things are about to begin.

 

"Double time it back Cadets!" Razor shouted engaging into a divebomb followed by the rest.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

Star, Kris and Soar reached their time at the peak. "I do like this part!" Before diving after the others, wings tucked like a diving falcon as she went...

 

"WO-HOO!" As she dived down the tunnels. "THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS JOB!" Shouting down the tunnels. She may of very well out dived hafl the team down the mountain.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

 

It was a vigourous rush some where rather worn but it looked they had arrived within time it seemed. Back through the side fence gate they each filed in. Amir exiting from their tent he approached the group.

"Wonderbolts! I was wondering where you went. A good flight test?-" He was interuppted by Razor.

"Give us some damn water." She uttered at the older stallion.

 

"Yes yes! Please this way everypony." He ushered them on.

 

Back inside their air conditioned tent they are greeted before them with a table adorned with various selections of sweets, cuisines and other types of meals before them. Everypony lit up at the sight the strain early from just the normal flight test afterglowed within each of them.

 

"Please do help yourselves." Amir spoke in his delighted demeanor. "We will come retreieve you when the event begins." He then retreated from the space.

 

"Eat lightly everyone. Dont wanna go flying on a stuffed belly."Razor said, she stood aside letting the cadets pick first. Everyone, in a restrained swarm, approached the table nit picking at their various choices.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

She shook her head, then giggled. "I think I might win this if your all buggered from just the practice guys." Afterwards she took a single cucumber sandwich and some water. Then sat at one of the pillow seats and started on her things.

 

She waited for Kris and Soar to come over with what they'd taken. "So you two knackered aswell?"

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Kris tried not to plop down onto his pillow, "What no? No Ima all good!" He spoke with psuedo confidence.

 

Soar giggled and nibbled at the bit of salad she brought with her. Bit of celery in her mouth. Kris sighed a bit and stretched.

"I dont think we were expecting it to be so long I guess. Phew. You know? I was thinking like the Wonderbolts test? Heavy winds, rouge storm clouds, storm fly throughs? The works? But Its all about just winding canyons and long distances." Kris said taking a sip from his water.

 

Razor stood by the tent exit looking out as if on look out. Perhaps she was expecting somepony? The rest of the cadets chattered about amongst themselves.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,027]

"Kris, you berk clues in the title, endurance. This whole thing is about engry conservation and the like." Pointing a hoof at him, followed by the others. "You end up like well you, plus the others. Worn out and this was merely practice." She shook her head. "There was a reason I was gliding, though..." looking at Soar. "How'd you do all that flying you look fine.".

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"We know that Star! We just wanting the feel of the canyon? Do our own thing ya know?" Kris reiterated.

 

With everypony's belly fueled in some manner, the flight group waits about. Amir approaches to the group entering to their tent.

"Is everypony ready?" He asks, nods of agreement upon each of them. The atmosphere surely turning serious in a manner.

"What is next?" Razor asked.

 

"We'll be introducing the flight teams. Do follow me." He said. Falling in line the Wonderbolts follow heading in the direction of the stage, loud electronic music playing in the distance as the excited chatter of the crowd could be audible.

 

Media helicopters and other news related ponies have soon flocked to the outter rims of the event covering upon with attentive eye. The group follows to the back section of the stage.

 

"There will be a brief speech from a special guest before we begin the team annoucements. When we do call out just simply form in line, a small bit of spacing between each flyer. Nothing too fancy." He points out to the middle of the stage.