"Well, I ain't much of a stunt plane," Captain Fairchild said sheepishly. "So I'll stay grounded for this one."
"Neither am I, but I have a stunt known as the 'Seraph's Wing'," Major Lockie said.
"Spitfire, Rainbow Dash, those who are participating will showcase our signature single stunts and then if there's time, we'll some of our combined stunts," Rainbow said. "Major, you go first!" she barked. "Clear!"
Everyone backed away to leave space for the planes to take off and land.
Major Lockie's engines coughed and then started up with a dull roar as he taxiied down the makeshift runway. A few minutes later, he continued his flight but he deployed flares. Burning golden orbs streamed from his flanks from underneath his wings and belly. As the orbs arced through the air, they left burning streamers through the air. As they burnt out, the smoke took the rough form of an angel.
The living AC-130 then landed to applause from the gathered crowd.
Rainbow Dash gaped. "That's amazing! It's as cool as my Buccaneer Blaze!" She then quickly added, "Almost as cool."
"Eltee, your turn!" Rainbow barked.
Lt. Martin glanced around her, lit her engines and soared into the sky. She then proceeded to do a rapid climb on full afterburners, leaving a faint blue trail of fire with visible shock diamonds behind her. At the apex of her climb, she intentionally entered a spin and dumped fuel. As a result, she trailed a helix of fire behind her as she spiraled down to the ground. After the end of the stunt, she pulled out of the spin and finished off the routine with an aileron roll. She then landed to more applause.
Rainbow then dipped her head and moved all her control surfaces to ensure they were functional. "All right, I'm going to show off my two signature stunts - Pugachev's Cobra and the Fire Kulbit."
She then lit her engines and soared into the sky. After a few aileron rolls and some stints of upside down flying to get ready, she resumed her level flight path. She then pulled her nose up as if ready to climb, but she held that position and thanks to her initial speed and powerful engines, she continued forward in her "reared up" stance for a substantial distance. She then dropped back to level flight and got ready for her Fire Kulbit. She reared up as for her Pugachev's Cobra stunt but instead of dropping down to level flight, she leaned back in the air even more. As a result, the living F-22 essentially did a backflip in the air. To top it off, she deployed flares from her belly as she did so, essentially drawing a circle with brilliant gold fire. The circle was substantially larger that if she did a normal Kulbit but it was necessary to avoid being hit with her own flares.
She then landed in the airfield next to Rainbow Dash and Spirfire.
"So do we make it?" Rainbow asked expectantly.
Rainbow Dash held a foreleg to her chin. "I will say that your stunts are really, really good but Spitfire's the one who makes the final decision."
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Mr. Bigmouth and the rest of the Pelvanida group were watching the impromptu airshow.
"The Angel Flares are amazing, no matter how many times you see it," Dr. Zanasiu said as he sipped a cola he bought from a nearby stand.
-----------------------
Twilight Sparkle had arrived inside her library. "Trixie!" she scolded. "You shouldn't be using magic in your condition!"
She then turned to Spike. "Spike, the aliens were willing to lend us two of their medics. Do you want to see their ship? Captain Carson seems to be rather eager to show it off."
At her words, Mr. Bigmouth and a
Spire of Winter medic entered through the door. Mr. Bigmouth had his messenger bag filled with first aid supplies (both from the ship and herbal mixes of his own concoction <an herb garden was provided for his use>)
Mr. Bigmouth went up to Trixie. "Trixie, I need to scan you with this tricorder," he said, showing her the instrument. "Then I can treat your injuries."
